The independent Nice ophthalmological laboratory Horus Pharma as well as Sophipolitaine Median Technologies, specializing in medical imaging related to oncology in particular, have just joined the second promotion of the program launched by the State: ETIncelles. ETIncelles which begins with the acronym ETI for “mid-sized company (1)” because that is the target of the President of the Republic. On November 21, he received 50 growing SMEs from France who are joining the new ETIncelles promotion. “6,000 ETIs in France today, that’s 1,000 more than in 2010 but it’s still insufficient. If they only account for 0.2% of the country’s companies, they represent 30% of turnover and 25% of employment. They are therefore a real growth lever for us.” Emmanuel Macron wants to help our SMEs become strong mid-sized companies. 50 companies were selected in January 2023, 50 others in June including Horus Pharma co-directed by Martine Claret and Median Technologies chaired by Fredrik Brag. The presentations took place on November 21. What do they think of this initiative? Their answers.
How do you feel regarding the ETIncelles device?
Martine Claret. First of all, I want to say that I am proud that Horus Pharma was selected among the SMEs in the region to join this program. Then, it should be noted that every day, we work to become an ETI. With three essential growth levers: innovation, recruitment and international deployment. We have just signed eight new distribution agreements in Europe and the Middle East.
Frederick Brag. This meeting of leaders of growing SMEs at the Élysée was good. We all felt that the State, the President of the Republic, would support us in removing the obstacles to our development. Brakes that exist in France and less internationally.
What types of brakes should be lifted, for example?
Martine Claret. We work in the field of health and the reorganization of certain administrative circuits would be beneficial to move faster.
Fredik Brag. Our health system is limited in its approach. The whole world is moving from a curative health system to a predictive health system and we do not reimburse diagnostics, for example. Reimbursing procedures that use AI is done elsewhere. We will have to move forward on this in particular.
Do you think that ETIncelles can bring… the spark?
Martine Claret. We will only have one contact to support us, both on the research tax credit and on the innovation credit, patent filings, financing, recruitment… So yes, I am optimistic regarding the impact that can have this program on our growth. This lasts 18 months and we will have a progress update at 12 months.
Frederick Brag. One of our major innovations is the possibility of preventing lung cancer. Detect it from stage 1 to cure it. Against a cancer today which has 100% mortality. We are deploying this technology internationally. In France there are still brakes. I found that the president and the various ministers concerned were keen to move the lines. It’s very positive.
(1) An SME has up to 250 employees for a turnover of less than €50 million, whereas an ETI will have 250 to 4,999 employees for a turnover not exceeding €1 billion.
Emmanuel Macron appears with Fredrik Brag of Median Technologies.DR.
