IBEC secures competitive funding to drive forward validation testing for three innovative health projects

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has been awarded funding for three projects in the third edition of the Strategic Plan for Health Research and Innovation (PERIS) grant programme, which runs from 2022 to 2027. This initiative by the Catalan Government’s Department of Health is designed to promote validation testing in innovative health projects. This time around, 20 grants totalling almost €2 million were awarded with the aim of accelerating the market launch of new technologies and promoting their practical application in the healthcare system.

The three projects, which are being led by Samuel Ojosnegros Martos, Javier Ramón Azcón and Pau Gorostiza Langa respectively, reinforce IBEC’s commitment to innovation in reproductive health, advanced therapies and disruptive technologies.

Development of Hyperspectral Technology for Metabolic Evaluation of Oocytes

Led by Samuel Ojosnegros Martos, Head of the Bioengineering for Reproductive Health Group, this project (SLT041/25/000019) aims to refine METAPHOR technology, which stands for ‘Metabolic Evaluation through Phasor-based Hyperspectral Imaging and Organelle Recognition’. Using hyperspectral microscopy and artificial intelligence, this technology can analyse oocyte metabolism in a non-invasive manner, and has already demonstrated high accuracy in selecting viable embryos in preclinical studies. This innovation has the potential to significantly improve assisted reproduction processes, increasing the chances of success and reducing the time to pregnancy.

3D bioprinted spheroids as a cell therapy for type 1 diabetes

This project (SLT041/25/000013), led by Javier Ramón Azcón (head of the Biosensors for Bioengineering group), explores the use of 3D bioprinted cell spheroids as an innovative strategy to restore pancreatic function in patients with type 1 diabetes. The research aims to pave the way for new regenerative therapies that could transform the treatment of this chronic disease.

Photo-switchable drugs to restore vision in patients with retinitis pigmentosa (DRUG4SIGHT)

Led by Pau Gorostiza Langa, head of the Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches group, this project (SLT041/25/000060) will validate light-activated drugs to restore visual function in patients with retinitis pigmentosa, a degenerative retinal disease that causes progressive vision loss. This innovative approach opens up new possibilities in the field of targeted and personalised therapies.

These three projects, which will last 24 months in total and receive funding of almost €370,000, reaffirm IBEC’s commitment to translational research and technology transfer to improve people’s health. These initiatives exemplify the transformative potential of bioengineering in the future of medicine.