AALBORG, DENMARK – Cilcare has been awarded the First Prize at the 2025 Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) Awards, recognizing the company’s successful use of EEN support to advance its work in hearing loss research. CEO and co-founder Celia Belline accepted the award in Aalborg, where three finalists competed for the distinction.
Millions of people worldwide live with hearing loss, yet treatment options remain limited. Founded in 2014 by three women entrepreneurs, Cilcare focuses on developing therapies for hearing disorders such as tinnitus and cochlear synaptopathy.
To support its mission, the company sought early assistance from the Enterprise Europe Network, a European Commission–funded initiative that provides internationalization support, matchmaking, and strategic advisory services for SMEs. This collaboration has contributed to Cilcare’s growth and position in the field of auditory therapeutic innovation.
A Targeted International Strategy
From its inception, Cilcare pursued global expansion. “We turned to the Enterprise Europe Network because it offered a structured and trusted pathway to international growth,” says CEO Celia Belline. Initial support included creating and promoting a partner-search profile, which increased the company’s visibility across the European health sector.
As Cilcare’s strategy evolved, the company identified opportunities in Japan. “Japan was identified as a strategic market very early in our development,” Belline explains. The company gained its first Japanese client in 2016, reinforcing demand for its preclinical expertise. To enhance cultural understanding, Cilcare invested in training and engaged with Club Japon Occitanie to deepen its market insight.
Belline highlights the importance of participating in Biotech Missions to Japan organized by the EU-Japan Centre: “They provided direct access to key players in Japan’s biotech ecosystem, accelerating relationship-building and deal-making.”
The strategy contributed to significant outcomes. In 2024, Cilcare entered into a €15 million upfront licensing agreement with Shionogi, with potential milestone payments of up to €400 million.
Tailored Network Support for Sustained Success
Bénédicte Ganivet, Cilcare’s adviser at CCI Occitanie, recognized the company’s potential early on. “Cilcare immediately stood out thanks to its strong scientific foundation,” she recalls. “Their proactive mindset made our collaboration highly effective from the very beginning.”
Ganivet provided ongoing support, adjusting strategies as Cilcare expanded. Initially centered on European R&D partnerships, the focus later extended to opportunities in Asia.
“Japan was a natural fit. The country’s ageing population faces increasing auditory health challenges, which aligns directly with Cilcare’s mission.”
Through EEN’s Health Sector Group, Ganivet worked with Alessandro Perna at the EU-Japan Centre for Industrial Cooperation, helping Cilcare participate in three EU-Japan Biotech Missions. Their presence at BioJapan strengthened the company’s visibility and credibility in the region.
Cilcare also benefited from support during its European Innovation Council (EIC) Accelerator applications. “The Enterprise Europe Network played a key mentoring role throughout our EIC Accelerator journey,” Belline affirms. “Thanks to this support, we were twice selected to present our innovations to a European jury and were awarded the Seal of Excellence.”
The company plans further international expansion, including establishing a subsidiary in Japan by 2026. Belline’s advice for other biotech SMEs is: “Be transparent and precise. Invest in cultural understanding. Be patient, stay ready. Building partnerships takes time, but consistency, persistence and adaptability are key.”
This long-term collaboration demonstrates the impact of tailored support from the Enterprise Europe Network in helping SMEs expand globally and advance solutions that benefit patients.
“The EEN support we received played a key role at every stage of our growth,” Belline says. “From early B2B matchmaking and partner search profiles to strategic preparation for international expansion, the Network consistently adapted to our evolving needs. We always felt we had a dedicated strategic partner by our side.”
About the Enterprise Europe Network
Launched by the European Commission in 2008, the Enterprise Europe Network (EEN) is a global network of partner organizations supporting small and medium-sized enterprises in expanding internationally. With more than 560 partner organizations in over 55 countries, the Network provides tailored guidance, resources, and services to help businesses succeed in the European Single Market and beyond. Since 2008, the Network has supported an average of more than 260,000 companies annually, with 97% of clients rating its services as fast, efficient, and tailored to their needs.
About Cilcare
Cilcare is a biotechnology company specializing in auditory sciences, focused on the characterization, diagnosis, and treatment of hearing disorders and related conditions. Founded by three entrepreneurs, the company now includes a team of 45 international experts and a scientific advisory board. Since 2014, Cilcare has developed an advanced R&D platform, a pipeline of drug candidates, and AI/ML-driven tools to better characterize various forms of hearing loss. The company collaborates with partners across Europe, the United States, and Asia to support the development of drugs, gene and cell therapies, and medical devices for hearing disorders.
For more information, visit www.cilcare.com.
