The Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) held its 4th Joint Meeting of Support Platforms for Health R&D&I in Vitoria-Gasteiz. Co-organized with the BioAraba Health Research Institute, the event brought together a broad representation of healthcare professionals and researchers from across the country.
The opening ceremony was led by ISCIII Director General Marina Pollán, alongside Deputy Director for Cellular Therapy María José Buitrago and Deputy Director for International Programs Daniel Ruiz Iruela. They were joined by the coordinators of the three participating networks: Alberto Borobia (SCReN), Elena Garreta (PNBB), and Lluís Blanch (ITEMAS).
Three Days of Strategic Discussion and Collaboration
Throughout the three-day event, participants addressed topics at the forefront of the biomedical sector, including artificial intelligence in healthcare, spin-off creation, private investment, innovation within the National Health System, animal models and organoids, scientific ethics, and progress toward the European Health Data Space. Additionally, the keynote address was delivered by CNIO researcher and ESA reserve astronaut Sara García Alonso, who gave a presentation on space medicine.
The Pivotal Role of the Three Infrastructure Networks:
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SCReN (Clinical Trials): Established as a benchmark network for advancing independent and academic clinical research, highlighting its leadership in European projects within the ECRIN-ERIC network and its active collaboration with the AEMPS on medical devices.
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ITEMAS (Healthcare Innovation): Focused on the effective transfer of technology to the healthcare and business sectors. It has supported over 200 projects through its guidance program and continues to drive the Investors Forum alongside early-stage entrepreneurship initiatives.
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PNBB (Biomodels and Biobanks): A national reference point for integrating and coordinating research resources, notably expanding its virtual catalogs—which now encompass over 1,400 collections and 700,000 sample aliquots—and serving as Spain’s national node for BBMRI-ERIC following the country’s full membership in this European infrastructure.
This annual gathering reaffirms ISCIII’s commitment to scientific excellence by strengthening cross-platform collaboration to provide high-level technical and technological support to the research community.
👉 Learn more and read the full details on the official ISCIII website.