The 16th Health Project Call from the Department of Alpes-Maritimes has awarded eight local initiatives. Hospital, research, and field teams presented programs focused on screening, diagnosis, treatment of diseases, and digital technologies applied to health. With two objectives: to support research and assist structures developing new solutions for patients.
Since 2006, the Health Project Call has been a central tool of the departmental policy for innovation and access to healthcare. The initiative targets teams in the Alpes-Maritimes involved in prevention, screening, diagnosis, or management of pathologies. Each project leader receives support aimed at facilitating investment in emerging tools, equipment, or technologies.
The award ceremony, held last week, took place in the presence of the president of the Alpes-Maritimes department. The vice-president in charge of memory, cultural heritage, and veterans, as well as the vice-president for health and seniors, were also among the institutional representatives. Professor Bernard Nordlinger, president of the jury for this 16th edition and president of the Digital Commission of the National Academy of Medicine, actively participated in selecting the awardees.
Promoting research
The 2024 edition highlighted three areas: the fight against cancer, neuro-degenerative diseases and the loss of autonomy, and new digital technologies related to e-health and artificial intelligence. Eight projects were selected for their potential for evolution and direct contribution to clinical practices.
In the field of cancer, three structures were awarded. The CHU of Nice is developing a project related to managing patients affected by bronchopulmonary cancer within clinical trials. INSERM is working on a device dedicated to patients with melanoma, utilizing technology designed to counter disease resistance. The Antoine Lacassagne Center, also awarded, is working on treatments for metastatic prostate cancer and neuroendocrine tumors. The latter project aims at including patients in clinical trials focusing on targeting tumor cells.
A second project from the Antoine Lacassagne Center was recognized in public health. The initiative focuses on identifying genetic anomalies that are still undetectable in the development of certain cancers. The objective is to improve technology and expand the analytical capacity of the teams.
Neuro-degenerative diseases and the loss of autonomy were also a significant focus among the awardees. The CNRS is developing a project dedicated to the in-depth study of nervous system pathologies and neurological disorders. The device increases the analytical capacity of a technical platform already utilized for the exploration of cancer or rare diseases. The Menton Hospital Center is working on improving motor execution and endurance of patients affected by conditions such as Parkinson’s or multiple sclerosis. The ambition is to promote overall recovery through a tailored device.
New technologies, e-health, and artificial intelligence were also highlighted. The Arnaud Tzanck Institute is working on a project related to renal and diabetic diseases. The device will enhance radio guidance during complex procedures for artery treatment. The CHU of Nice has been recognized for a project focused on early detection and diagnosis of melanoma-type skin cancers. A digital tool will provide precise images of lesions and facilitate dermatologist analysis.
Charles Ange Ginésy: “accessible, human health turned towards tomorrow”
The ceremony was also an opportunity for the department president, Charles Ange Ginésy, to emphasize the importance of this initiative: “The Health Project Calls have represented, since 2006, a total of 305 award-winning projects with €40 million mobilized. But beyond the numbers, these are mainly significant advances that genuinely transform our daily lives: innovations that tackle major challenges of our time — the fight against cancer, prevention of the loss of autonomy, the revolution of e-health, and the integration of artificial intelligence. […] I hope that the health project calls of the Department of Alpes-Maritimes will continue this momentum, with efficiency and responsibility, to offer patients what is most precious: hope and progress. Our goal: health that is accessible, human, and oriented towards tomorrow.”
The Health Project Call acts as a sustainable lever. A tool allowing local teams to advance their research, test new approaches, and strengthen medical practices in the region. Each awarded project reflects a collective commitment to continually improving patient care, with a shared ambition: to develop useful, operationally-focused solutions for the future.
