Lille to lead French bid for EMA

With the United Kingdom set to leave the European Union, the European Medicines Agency (EMA), currently based in London, will need a new host city. In France, eight cities were in the running. After each had made its case to a national jury, the French President and Prime Minister chose Lille as the country’s official candidate. As the largest metropolis in Hauts-de-France, Lille easily met each of the jury’s criteria: – Accessible: ideally situated in the heart of Europe, Lille is at the center of a triangle formed by Brussels (40 min), London (1h20) and Paris (1h) and is served by a dense, efficient network of transport infrastructures, with an airport, rail stations and more. – Expatriate- and family-friendly for EMA staff: Lille has several international schools, and with London not far away, UK families that prefer to remain domiciled in Britain will still be within easy reach. – A vibrant business and social environment: Hauts-de-France has France’s third-ranked healthcare hub, with over 29,000 jobs and 1,000 companies already active in the sector, backed by pioneering research centers in diabetes, cancer, neuro-degenerative pathologies and other medical fields. Lille is also home to specialized R&D teams and training hubs, including the Lille University Hospital Center (CHRU) and the Pasteur Institute. – Availability of premises (spacious, well-equipped and competitively priced): suitable buildings are within easy reach of Lille’s international rail station at attractive prices. About the European Medicines Agency With an annual budget of €322 million, EMA employs nearly 900 expert staff and hosts 36,000 national regulators and scientists each year. Sources: Voix du Nord, French government