A IRBLleida biotechnology project has been selected for the CaixaImpulse programme

The project "Prediction of positive response to CPAP therapy for Patients with Resistant Hypertension and Sleep Apnea" led by a researcher at the Biomedical Research Institute of Lleida Foundation Dr. Pifarré (IRBLleida), Dr. Manuel Sánchez de la Torre, was one of 20 selected for the program CaixaImpuls,e a unique initiative in Spain that aims to promote research in biotechnology and life sciences to develop projects that generate value in society. Dr. Sánchez de la Torre is part of the group breathed Research Translational Medicine, led by Dr. Ferran Barbé.

In the 2016 edition, research centres, hospitals, and universities from autonomous communities such as Andalusia (1), Catalonia (16), Galicia (1), Navarre (1), and Valencia (1) have taken part.
Of the 73 projects that were initially submitted, a committee of experts have chosen the 20 finalists, which will receive financial support of up to 70,000 euros as well as a comprehensive programme of training and expert advice.

PROJECT
Highly reliable biomarker-based predictive method for patients with resistant hypertension (RH) and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). This approach will positively target a population in need of continuous positive air pressure (CPAP) as a therapy for RH and OSA to control blood pressure. The method is based on the specific expression profiling from blood samples, which gives a quantitative score parameter (HIPARCO-Score). This algorithm-based score directly translates into a prediction of blood pressure response to CPAP treatment for a given patient. This treatment is a potential effective therapeutic alternative for blood pressure control in patients with RH and OSA. The goal is to develop a ready-to-use kit specific for the HIPARCO-Score test to provide appropriate information to the clinician on the probability of accurate response to the CPAP treatment.

Link: http://www.caixaimpulse.com/en/projects/-/caixaimpulse/project/50607