The goal of the Cancéropôle (cancer cluster) Lyon Auvergne Rhône-Alpes (CLARA) is to structure and facilitate cancer research in the French Rhône-Alpes Auvergne inter region by bringing together academic, clinical and industrial strengths in order to develop a network with a European dimension. CLARA is distinct from the six other French cancéropôles due to its amplitude of funding by local authorities. This particular feature confers strong economic objectives, on top of the objectives related to scientific excellence and public health as presented in the French Cancer Plans. An important feature of CLARA’s strategy is to promote cancer research applications with clear industrial objectives. The CLARA Cancer Research Cluster strives to bringing together researchers, clinicians and industrial partners into a single network, and to pool their efforts on operational research programs with a two-fold objective of quickly transferring knowledge to patient care and developing marketable applications of research findings. From the laboratory to industrial production, CLARA constitutes a missing link by promoting the industrial transfer and commercial development of an idea. Leading a program to support innovative, high-potential projects in the area of health/oncology/biotechnology, called “Proof of Concept”, the Cancéropôle is making a difference, confirming its role as a dynamic actor of economic development.