Each January, the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference turns San Francisco into the global hub for healthcare investment, bringing together investors, startup founders, pharmaceutical industry leaders, and experts to discuss major trends, emerging innovations, and high-potential startups.
Once again this year, France made a strong showing: 38 French companies, from Seed to Series C, gathered at the “French Corner” organized by Business France, with a clear objective—to connect with investors and strategic industrial partners and accelerate their expansion in the United States.
San Francisco, a strategic hub for global healthcare
Hosting the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference in San Francisco is no coincidence. Situated near leading academic research institutions (UCSF, Stanford), major investment hubs, and innovation centers—including the headquarters of top venture capital firms such as Sequoia Capital and biotech giants like Genentech—the city provides an ideal environment for French healthcare companies looking to scale in the United States and globally.
The strong French mobilization at the conference underscores the strategic importance of the U.S. market, which accounts for nearly 50% of the global healthcare sector.
Addressing the French delegation and the Foreign Trade Advisors of France, Deputy Consul General of France in San Francisco Paul Salvaire highlighted France’s strengths in biotechnology, medical devices, and digital health.
He also emphasized the key role of transatlantic collaboration in accelerating healthcare innovation on a global scale, while underscoring the mission of the Consulate’s “Healthcare Club,” created to strengthen connections among major players in the regional healthcare ecosystem.
The French Corner, a showcase of French innovation
Located in the heart of Union Square, the French Corner served as both a hub and a showcase for French companies seeking funding and partnerships in the United States.
“This fully dedicated space helped to maximize the visibility of French companies during a pivotal week for the sector,” noted Jérôme Revole, Director of the Healthcare and Life Sciences Industry at Business France North America.
Beyond this central space, Business France and its partners hosted a series of side events throughout the week, including panels with U.S. experts, targeted meetings, networking sessions, and a “French Reception,” fostering direct connections with the American and global healthcare ecosystem present in San Francisco.
The strength of the French delegation
Bringing together startups, scale-ups, SMEs, and innovative public companies, the French delegation showcased the diversity, maturity, and competitiveness of France’s healthcare ecosystem. Biotechnology, techbio, digital health, medical devices, and patient- and healthcare professional-centered innovations—these are just some of the areas where French scientific excellence and innovation capacity are widely recognized internationally.
Among the companies present, several high-potential players drew particular attention, including SurgeCare, which specializes in immunological diagnostics for safer surgery; ArcaScience, which develops artificial intelligence solutions for benefit-risk analysis and the secure development of pharmaceuticals; and DeepLife, a pioneer in cellular digital twins for the discovery of new treatments. All three promising start-ups participated in a pitching session hosted by Cathay Innovation during the conference week.
A catalyst for French companies’ visibility and growth
This 2026 edition of the JP Morgan Healthcare Conference highlighted several major trends: “a gradual recovery in healthcare investment, the growing impact of artificial intelligence—particularly in accelerating product development and improving success rates for drug candidates—and the continued rise of precision medicine,” explained Jérôme Revole.
Amid increasing international competition, Business France and its partners played a central role in amplifying the presence of French companies, facilitating connections with U.S. stakeholders, and showcasing their innovations in San Francisco.
“With a fully dedicated and collaborative space, a strong appetite for international expansion, and the momentum and activation of Business France’s local and global networks and those of its partners, the French delegation positioned itself as a leading player during JP Morgan Healthcare Conference Week,” emphasized Jérôme Revole.
In San Francisco, France did more than have a presence—it showcased a united and ambitious vision for healthcare innovation.
