LiPlasome Pharma AS was established in January 2001 to commercialize its novel lipid-based drug delivery platform based on engineered liposomes dubbed liplasomes. LiPlasome is applying its technology to the oncology arena, to both improve upon existing drugs' safety and efficacy and to develop novel lipid-based compounds.

This past December, industry leaders gathered in Paris for France Biotech's annual meeting to try to figure out why the sector has failed to show the same dynamism as those of its British and German neighbors. There wasn't a single biotech IPO in France last year, and even alliances were few and far between. Lack of large pharmaceutical companies, experienced management, and insufficient government support may partially explain the low level of deal activity.