In which conditions is a drug invented? Driven by a multidisciplinary approach, from Anthropology of Communication to Science Studies, this thesis explores strategies and communication practices mobilized by the pharmaceutical industry and public research laboratories in the invention of a drug in research’s phase that precedes clinical studies. This drug is a nanoparticle based on nanotechnology, for therapeutic applications (against cancer) and diagnostic (medical imaging). Ecosystems of innovation networks are described by a careful ethnographic study with highlighting of multiple interactions that take place there.The first part analyzes two dimensions of global context: the discourse related to pharmaceutical research and nanotechnology. The first chapter dissects the myths that diffuse the pharmaceutical industry through its communicative elements whose origin is the reconfiguration of Big Pharma’s innovation mechanisms. The second chapter summarizes critically the history of nanotechnology, emerging controversies about their analyzes and their radio speeches are devoted.The second part explores three dimensions of local context: multi-disciplinary scientists (chemists, physi-cists, biologists, medical doctors), engaged in drug research, who work in public and private laboratories. The first chapter presents their characteristics and how their collaborations result in amorphous networks. The second chapter highlights the centrality of oral language, from the synthesis of molecules (ie nanoparticles) by chemists, physicists to animal testing by physicians biologists. The third chapter discusses how researchers and their competitors communicate their results through different communicative channels (conferences, public visitors, investors and media).
