In 2012, the Cancer Research Center of Lyon, the Synergie Lyon Cancer Foundation and the Léon Bérard Center partnered to create the Center for Discovery and Development (C3D). C3D is a unique academic drug discovery platform created to fill the gap in oncology between fundamental research and patients. The aim of this plateform is to develop drug discovery programs based on validated target identified by basic researchers. The mission of the C3D is thus to provide the research teams with the means and technical support to identify, characterize and develop new cancer therapies (antibodies or small organic molecules). The C3D works in the early stages of exploratory research, up until the entry into clinical trials. The challenges of the C3D are: • To accelerate the transfer of academic research programs towards the clinic and to patients • To create developmental partnerships between academic and industrial research.