Inserm at a Glance

Founded in 1964, Inserm is a public scientific and technological institute which operates under the joint authority of the French Ministries of Health and Research. The institute is dedicated to biomedical research and human health, and is involved in the entire range of activities from the laboratory to the patient’s bedside. It also partners with the most prestigious research institutions in the world that are committed to scientific challenges and progress in these fields.

Institute’s organization

  • Chairman and Chief Executive Officer: Didier Samuel
  • Vice-CEO for Strategy: Thomas Lombès
  • Vice-CEO for Administration: Damien Rousset
  • 12 regional offices
  • 9 theme-based institutes

Scientific production: Publications

More than 13,976 scientific publications in 2021, i.e. :

  • 16% of French production, all fields of research combined
  • 42% of publications in the biological and medical fields

Value creation

More than 2,100 active patent families in 2021. Inserm is the:

  • 3rd European patent applicant in the pharmaceutical sector
  • 2nd in the biotechnology category
  • 8th French patent applicant, all organizations and sectors combined

Inserm worldwide

  • 2 international mixed units
  • 3 foreign laboratories within a theme-based coordination program
  • 22 foreign laboratories within an International Research Project or an International Research Network

Inserm in France

  • 256 research units
  • 45 service units
  • 35 clinical investigation centers

Our Nobel and Lasker laureates

Nobel Prize

  • Jean Dausset (1980)
  • Françoise Barré-Sinoussi (2008)

Lasker Prize

  • Étienne-Émile Baulieu (1989)
  • Pierre Chambon (2004)
  • Alim-Louis Benabid (2014)

Workforce

  • 5,077 civil servants, including : 
    • 2,174 researchers
    • 2,903 engineers and technicians
  • 3,325 contract staff and temporary employees
  • 5,890 researchers-teachers and hospital teachers

2021 budget

1 161 M€ (State subsidy: 60% / internal resources: 40%)

Learn more about Inserm