Inserm is the only French public research body entirely dedicated to human health. Its researchers are committed to studying all diseases, through their research in the fields of biology, medicine and public health. The Institute has worked in close partnership with other public or private research institutions and care centres. Currently, 80% of Inserm's 316 research laboratories are housed within university hospital or cancer treatment centres, the others being located on research campuses of the CNRS (French scientific research institute) or of the Pasteur and Curie Institutes.
Inserm is member of the Economic Interest Group CERBM, acting for the ICS.