FONDATION DE COOPERATION SCIENTIFIQUE VOIR ET ENTENDRE

Their core work

Fondation Voir et Entendre is a Paris-based research foundation focused on vision science, particularly retinal diseases and advanced ophthalmic imaging. They develop and validate imaging techniques — such as adaptive optics, optical coherence tomography, and scanning laser ophthalmoscopy — to measure retinal function and support gene, cell, and optogenetic therapies. Their work bridges fundamental retinal research with clinical outcome validation, providing tools and endpoints needed to assess whether emerging therapies for inherited and age-related eye diseases actually work.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Their earliest H2020 involvement (2015) was in digital visual processing through ECOMODE, dealing with event-driven compressive vision for mobile devices. From 2017 onward, the foundation pivoted decisively toward clinical ophthalmology — first through AMD endpoint validation in MACUSTAR, then securing a prestigious ERC Consolidator Grant (OPTORETINA, 2021) to develop optical imaging for retinal gene and cell therapies. The trajectory shows a clear shift from applied digital imaging to deep specialization in retinal function measurement for therapeutic development.

Moving toward becoming a reference center for optical assessment of next-generation retinal therapies (gene, cell, optogenetic), with increasing independence as evidenced by their ERC coordination role.

How they like to work

With one coordination (OPTORETINA, their largest grant at EUR 2M) and two participant roles, they show a progression from contributing partner to project leader. Their 26 unique consortium partners across 8 countries suggest they are well-connected but not a mega-hub — consistent with a specialized research foundation that partners strategically rather than broadly. The ERC grant signals growing scientific independence and recognition of their principal investigators.

They have collaborated with 26 distinct partners across 8 countries, primarily through health and vision research consortia. Their network is European in scope, anchored in France but reaching across multiple EU member states through clinical and imaging research partnerships.

What sets them apart

They sit at a rare intersection: advanced optical imaging physics applied directly to clinical ophthalmology and therapeutic validation. While many labs work on either imaging hardware or eye disease biology, this foundation connects both — making them a valuable partner for anyone developing retinal therapies who needs rigorous, imaging-based proof that treatments work. Their ERC Consolidator Grant confirms scientific leadership at the individual investigator level, not just institutional participation.

Highlights from their portfolio

• OPTORETINA
  ERC Consolidator Grant worth EUR 2M where they serve as coordinator — signals top-tier scientific recognition and positions them as leaders in optical retinal function imaging for gene therapies.
• MACUSTAR
  Large multi-partner consortium developing validated clinical endpoints for age-related macular degeneration — directly relevant to pharmaceutical companies running AMD clinical trials.