Launch of the Institute for Innovation and Partnerships on Ageing and Well-being

The launch brought together researchers, institutional partners, and public and private stakeholders.

Originally inaugurated in March 2023, the Ulysseus Ageing and Well-being Innovation Hub has evolved into the 2IP Ageing and Well-being Institute, which is now part of Université Côte d’Azur. By placing health, well-being, and aging at the heart of its strategic priorities, Université Côte d’Azur conducts cutting-edge research and fosters the emergence of innovative solutions, while offering its academic and industrial partners a unique environment conducive to innovative collaborations

.With the creation of the 2IP Ageing and Well-being Institute, Université Côte d’Azur reinforces its commitment to placing science, innovation, and social responsibility at the heart of its mission. “Aging is one of the major transitions of our time, and universities have a key role to play in developing sustainable and inclusive responses,” said Jeanick Brisswalter, President of Université Côte d’Azur, in her opening remarks.

Stéphane Ngo Mai, Ulysseus Vice President at Université Côte d’Azur, also highlighted the strategic importance of this initiative: “The transformation of the Ulysseus Innovation Hub into the 2IP Institute reflects the strength of our European alliance in its ability to turn collaboration into tangible impact. It demonstrates how universities can work together to build solutions that address the societal challenges of aging in Europe.”
 

Stimulating Innovation and Accelerating Impact in the Silver Economy

The mission of the new institute is to mobilize scientific, academic, and industrial resources to address the complex challenges of demographic transition. The Côte d’Azur region serves as a true living laboratory, where over 30% of the population is over 60 years old, offering a unique testing ground.

The 2IP Ageing and Well-being Institute aims to stimulate scientific and industrial innovation across the entire Silver Economy, far beyond the medical field alone. As Professor Paula Pousinha, director of the Institute, noted: “We aim to drive scientific and industrial innovation across the entire Silver Economy, beyond the healthcare sector, in order to address demographic transition from a transdisciplinary perspective and thereby contribute to positive and engaged life trajectories. ”

To support this mission, the 2IP Institute relies on a set of complementary initiatives designed to support, test, and accelerate innovation. These include the ALIVE startup program dedicated to innovation in longevity, a Living Lab enabling real-world experimentation, training programs to strengthen the skills of professionals and relevant stakeholders, as well as a data center dedicated to collecting and analyzing health data to identify trends and at-risk behaviors. These initiatives are supported by multidisciplinary scientific expertise.
 

A high-level event bringing together key stakeholders

The launch event featured a rich program centered on the theme “Aging is Life: Universities at the Heart of the Demographic Transition.” It included an inaugural lecture on neuroscience and ageism, followed by a roundtable discussion bringing together experts from academia and the Silver Economy to examine universities’ capacity to address the real challenges of demographic change.

Thanks to its transdisciplinary approach and its robust ecosystem of partners, the Institute has established itself as a key driver of innovation for aging and well-being, thereby helping to address societal challenges in a rapidly changing world.