Press Release: State aid: Commission authorises France to grant €54.5 million aid for Iseult-Inumac R&D programme

The European Commission decided not to raise objections under EC Treaty state aid rules to the financial support of €54.5 million granted by France to the Iseult-Inumac research and development (R&D) programme. Iseult-Inumac is being implemented by a consortium of six partners led by Guerbet, a private holding specialised in contrast agents for medical imagery. The objective of the programme is to improve high field magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), with a view to a better diagnosis, follow up and treatment of diseases like Alzheimer's disease, strokes and brain tumours. The Commission found the aid to be compatible with its R&D&I framework because it encourages R&D to improve public health which would not have taken place without aid. These positive aspects clearly outweigh any potential distortions of competition.