French researcher and entrepreneur Franck Zal has won the 2026 European Inventor Award in the "SME" category. This award recognizes his innovation based on the exceptional properties of marine worm hemoglobin, a breakthrough that opens new perspectives for organ preservation, regenerative medicine, and cell therapy.

At a ceremony held in Berlin on July 2nd, the European Patent Office (EPO) announced the winners of the 2026 European Inventor Award. Among them, Frenchman Franck Zal stood out in the "SME" category for his work aimed at harnessing the therapeutic potential of the marine worm Arenicola marina.

A marine biologist by training and founder of the Breton company Hemarina, Franck Zal has developed a technology based on extracellular hemoglobin capable of transporting very large quantities of oxygen. This innovation, protected by several patents, contributes in particular to improving the preservation of organs intended for transplantation and opens up perspectives in other medical applications.

"My sole motivation is to save lives and make this technology accessible to all patients." – Franck Zal

This award recognizes the ingenuity, creativity and determination of a French inventor whose work addresses major public health challenges.

It also highlights the essential role of industrial property in supporting innovation, from research to the development of concrete solutions serving society.

Source: INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property), 3 July 2026 – https://www.inpi.fr/en/in-one/EPO-European-Inventor-Award-2026 (The INPI English page is machine-translated from the French original; the French version prevails.)