VHIR participates in three projects of the RIS3CAT call

The Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) has been included in the three collaborating projects of the RIS3CAT call, promoted by the Generalitat of Catalonia, through ACCIO. The projects deal with the development of advanced therapies, research on rare diseases and the relationship between diabetes and Alzheimer's disease.

Diabetes as Alzheimer accelerator (DIALCAT)

Dr. Rafael Simó, head of the Diabetes and Metabolism group, coordinates the project "Diabetes as Alzheimer accelerator (DIALCAT), which three companies and two research centres are involved, apart from VHIR.

The project is based on epidemiological data confirming that patients with diabetes have 2 to 3 times higher prevalence of severe cognitive impairment and Alzheimer's disease than non-diabetic population comparable in age. To address this reality, the project proposes a comprehensive approach ranging from basic to clinical observational research, and it includes a pilot intervention study.

The group of Dr. Simó has extensive experience in the field of diabetes and currently leads a European project to study the molecular mechanisms related to type 2 diabetes with Alzheimer's disease. In DIALCAT project also participates in VHIR the Cell Signaling and Apoptosis group, led by Dr. Joan Comella, who specializes in the study of proteins involved in neurodegenerative diseases; and the Neurovascular Disease group, headed by Dr. Joan Montaner, who has considerable experience in finding biomarkers that allow to be used as diagnostic and prognostic tools.

This project is part of the Community for technology applied to health, called Tec-Salut, who leads Leitat.

Accelerator on rare diseases of Catalonia (AMMIC)

Dr. Josep Roma, researcher at the Translational Research in Cancer in Children and Adolescents group, participates as a principal investigator of the VHIR's project "Accelerator on rare diseases of Catalonia (AMMIC). The project is led by the University Institute of Science and Technology (IUCT) and with the participation of seven companies for innovation and high technology centres.

The aim of the consortium is to act as an accelerator in the development of therapeutic solutions for rare diseases from discovery stages to clinical stages. Also, the participants will work on the development of genetic and epigenetic analysis tools, and new screening platforms, which serve as tools for research and development of new therapies that can be applied in the clinical setting for the benefit of the patients.

L’equip del Dr. Roma, led by Dr. Josep Sánchez Toledo and Dr. Soledad Gallego, has worked for some time in the development of several drugs, collaborating with two companies that are also part of the project (BCN Peptides and iPROTEOS). The group also had previous collaborations established with other companies that are part of this community (QGenomics), to characterize the genetic profiles of tumours and the detection of DNA circulating tumour. Researchers from the Translational Research in Cancer in Children and Adolescents group bring to the partnership its expertise to identify therapeutic targets from biological findings related to different types of childhood cancer, and test drugs in vitro and in vivo in mouse models of the disease.

This project is part of the Community of multidisciplinary solutions for the coming challenges in health, called Next Health, led by Biocat.

Accelerator for the development of advanced therapies in Catalonia (ADVANCECAT)

Dr. Jordi Barquinero, head of the Cell and Gene Therapy group, leads the participation of VHIR in the "Accelerator for the development of advanced therapies in Catalonia (ADVANCECAT), led by the University of Barcelona, and formed by five companies and 13 research centres.

The aim of the consortium is to create a collaborative network organization in the field of cell therapy, gene therapy and tissue engineering (regenerative medicine) to promote research and accelerate the development of new products that may have a qualitative impact on healthcare systems. To achieve this, they will develop IT tools, complementary to existing infrastructure, and automate and regulate projects and production systems.

In the project is involved the group of Dr. Barquinero, for its experience in the preclinical development of gene therapies. In particular, the group specializes in hematopoietic therapy and clinical application of gene therapy for inherited rare diseases. From VHIR also participate in ADVANCECAT the Reconstructive Therapy Heart group, of Dr. Manuel Galiñanes; the Musculoskeletal Tissue Engineering group, Dr. Màrius Aguirre, and the group of Reconstructive Surgery of the Locomotive System, Dr. César García Fontecha, all of them specialized in the development of advanced therapies.

This project is also part of the Community of multidisciplinary solutions for the coming challenges in health, called Next Health, led by Biocat.

About RIS3CAT

The RIS3cat is a research and innovation strategy for intelligent specialization of Catalonia, approved by the Government in 2014. In its implementation, the strategy combines innovation and research instruments already existing, that now take a sector-based and technological approach, creating new instruments, such as RIS3CAT communities. So far, five have been implemented: NEXTHEALTH and TEC-SALUT (in which VHIR participates), and INNOAPAT, ENERGIA, and MOBILITAT ECO.

RIS3CAT communities consist of 108 participating organizations and over 1,300 professionals. The five sectoral projects will mobilize a total of € 43,8M.