The “la Caixa” Foundation has resolved the 2025 call for the CaixaImpulse programme, through which it supports 31 biomedical projects from research centers, hospitals and universities in Spain and Portugal. In total, the bank will allocate 3.8 million euros to this initiative, which aims to accelerate the arrival of these innovations on the market to bring them closer to patients who may need them. CaixaImpulse also promotes the creation of new products, services and companies related to life sciences and health.
The winning projects – from among the 428 applications received – have been evaluated by six panels of international experts and professionals in this field. Among this year’s selected projects are 15 projects led by researchers from 13 Catalan research centers. Among them, there are two IDIBELL researchers, who will receive funding to promote their respective research and innovation projects in health.
A new approach to improving treatments for skin diseases
Recent research has uncovered new treatments for psoriasis and other inflammatory skin diseases that target keratinocytes, the main skin cells. The team led by Sara Preciado, a researcher at IDIBELL and the University of Barcelona, follows this line, pointing to the study of the TREX2 protein, which is only found in keratinocytes, to try to elucidate new ways to treat this disease without compromising the immune system. Previous animal and human studies of psoriasis have shown that this new therapy can reduce redness and inflammation of the disease, without the immunosuppression problems presented by current treatments.
The aim of the project is to bring this new therapy closer to patients. The team will assess its efficacy and safety, comparing it to current treatments, and ensure that it can be used safely in humans. The team will also work to protect the rights to this discovery and plan its arrival on the market, collaborating with pharmaceutical companies and investors. If successful, the new treatment could change the way psoriasis (and possibly other skin diseases) are tackled, offering hope to those looking for better and safer options.
How AI is helping patients prepare for surgery
Preparing for surgery can be a stressful experience. Many people feel nervous and insecure while waiting, especially when faced with medical tests and questions that may seem confusing or complicated. To address this problem, a team at Bellvitge University Hospital led by Dr. Ancor Serrano has developed a new artificial intelligence tool, called AIINANE, to improve the preoperative experience of patients. The tool uses a webApp so that patients can digitally complete questionnaires about their medical history, thus reducing face-to-face visits and associated stress, while allowing surgical risks to be identified quickly and supporting patients in the steps prior to the intervention.
AIINANE analyzes data to detect risk factors early, allowing medical professionals to make more informed and personalized decisions. This early evaluation helps speed up the process for patients and ensures that those who need additional care are quickly identified. It is being tested at Bellvitge Hospital and is expected to be extended to all outpatient procedures to make the surgical process safer and more efficient. It has the support of the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) and the Catalan Institute of Health (ICS).
About CaixaImpulse
The “la Caixa” Foundation launched this programme to support innovation and transfer in Recruitment and Health in 2015. Since then, the bank has allocated €28.8 million to support 263 projects, which have led to the creation of 54 spin-offs, which in turn have obtained additional co-financing through other competitive calls or private investors worth more than €180 million. These are some of the successes achieved in the first decade of CaixaImpulse, the “la Caixa” Foundation’s call for grants for innovation projects in health in collaboration with Criteria Bio Ventures.
About IDIBELL
The Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL) is a research centre created in 2004 and specialising in cancer, neuroscience, translational medicine and regenerative medicine. It has a team of more than 1,500 professionals who, from 73 research groups, publish more than 1,400 scientific articles a year. L’IDIBELL is participated by the Bellvitge University Hospital and the Viladecans Hospital of the Catalan Health Institute, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona and the City Council of L’Hospitalet de Llobregat.
IDIBELL is a member of the Campus d’Excelencia Internacional of the University of Barcelona HUBc and is part of the CERCA institution of the Generalitat de Catalunya. In 2009 it became one of the first five Spanish research centres accredited as a health research institute by the Carlos III Health Institute. In addition, it is part of the HR Excellence in Research program of the European Union and is a member of EATRIS and REGIC. Since 2018, IDIBELL has been an Accredited Centre of the AECC Scientific Foundation (FCAECC).