On the 29 September 2026, Paris Brain Institute invited almost 100 philanthropists, entrepreneurs, and committed stakeholders to the Louis-Jeantet Foundation in Geneva for an outstanding evening dedicated to brain research. The event was a tribute to scientific excellence, generosity, and the links between France and Switzerland.
The evening was organized by the Paris Brain Institute Circle of Friends, and was attended by Prof. Gérard Saillant, Honorary President, and Jean Todt, Vice-President of Paris Brain Institute. It was an opportunity to bring the international community together around a common goal: better understanding the brain, preventing the illnesses that affect it, and speeding up the development of new solutions for both patients and their families. The event also showed the strength of the scientific and philanthropic ties between France and Switzerland, both countries that have long stood for scientific excellence and innovation.
Scientific Progress on the Agenda
The Paris Brain Institute Circle of Friends works to bring philanthropists closer to research, and to all the men and women working to advance it, while giving scientific teams the means to continue their work in the long-term. This meant that the science and research work being carried out at Paris Brain Institute was naturally a central part of the evening.
Prof. Stéphanie Debette, Executive Director of Paris Brain Institute, and Brian Lau, Deputy Scientific Director, were able to talk with Grégoire Courtine, researcher at EPFL, and Philippe Bijlenga, neurosurgeon at the Geneva University Hospitals, regarding the most recent developments in neuroscience and the possibilities that could be opened up to us by having more precise, tailored medical pathways.
These talks reiterated in particular that brain diseases are caused by multiple factors, of a genetic, biological, and environmental nature, and that all of these factors interact with each other throughout a person’s lifetime. For many illnesses, the processes triggering the disorder can be at work for several years, maybe even several decades before the first symptoms manifest.
Artificial Intelligence for the Benefit of Patients
The evening also saw a declaration from Olivier Goy, Paris Brain Institute Ambassador and entrepreneur, who has worked for a long time to raise awareness of the issues surrounding neurological disorders. Olivier Goy has amyotrophic lateral sclerosis himself, and has both shared his experiences and testified to the potential of new technologies in tangibly transforming patients’ lives, highlighting artificial intelligence in particular.
An Outstanding Display of Generosity
The generosity shown by the event’s benefactors and partners helped to raise more than 3 million Swiss francs to support the research being carried out at Paris Brain Institute. Furthermore, the initiative shows the importance of long-term, committed philanthropy that can support research in exploring new pathways and contribute to unearthing the discoveries of tomorrow.
An F.P. Journe Chronomètre Furtif to keep research ticking over
At the end of the evening, a unique Chronomètre Furtif from F.P. Journe was put up for auction, with the proceedings overseen by Christie’s. The watch had been especially made for the event and was engraved for Paris Brain Institute. A long-standing private funder, F.P. Journe offered this extraordinary item, which was valued at 2.75 million Swiss francs.
Activism that Transcends Borders
As a further testament to the generosity of the benefactors, a silent auction took place, opening several days before the dinner and closing at the end of the night. Thanks to the support of committed partners and boutiques, including Van Cleef & Arpels, Ruinart, Maison Francis Kurkdjian, and Crans-Montana 2027, nearly 30 lots and experiences were put up for auction to support Paris Brain Institute.
Last but not least, Michelle Yeoh, Ambassador of Paris Brain Institute, expressed a wish to extend her involvement and offered an exquisite piece from her personal collection: a Royal Oak Lady from Audemars Piguet. This watch will be put up for auction by Christie’s in Hong Kong on the 26 November, 2026, to support the research being done at Paris Brain Institute.
An International Community that is Committed to Brain Health
Besides the money collected, the French-Swiss dinner organized by Paris Brain Institute for research is a reflection of a strong international community mobilized around a common ambition.
Whether in Geneva, Paris, New York, or Hong Kong, the Friends of the Institute are seeking to promote research without borders, based on scientific excellence, international cooperation, and innovation.
Cooperation between France and Switzerland is particularly strong when it comes to brain research. The evening illustrated that once more, by bringing researchers, philanthropists, and partners together around a shared belief: better understanding the brain leads to better prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of the illnesses affecting it.
The Paris Brain Institute would like to warmly thank all participants, donors, patrons, and partners from the event, as well as the Support Committee for the Paris Brain Institute French-Swiss Dinner for Research: Laura Bohbot, Séverine Cantoia, Véronique De Kepper, Mara Hank Moret, Aude Oltramare and Solène Porcherot.
