A year in review: IGTP’s most notable achievements in 2024
In 2024, the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP) continued to pursue its commitment to biomedical research, tackling global health challenges and generating a positive impact on society. In this article, we look back at the year's most significant news stories, showcasing the dedication and collaboration that define IGTP.
A year of institutional growth
The Advanced Therapies Network of Catalonia, coordinated by Biocat, was formally established at an event on 10 June. IGTP has joined this network, reaffirming its commitment to developing and implementing biomedical innovations that help bring new therapies to patients and reinforce Catalonia's position as an international benchmark in this field. More information
The Comparative Medicine and Bioimage Centre of Catalonia (CMCiB), a strategic project from IGTP, celebrated its fifth anniversary with a symposium at CosmoCaixa. The event featured leading experts who presented successful case studies developed at the centre and discussed the future of areas such as personalised medicine, bioimaging, and robotic surgery. Over these five years, CMCiB has become a national and international reference in preclinical research and surgical training in new technologies, accelerating the transfer of scientific breakthroughs to hospitals. More information
This year, IGTP received reaccreditation as a Health Research Institute (IIS) from Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), recognising once again its excellence in biomedical research and its contribution to improving health through innovation and scientific collaboration. More information
The fourth IGTP Retreat, held on 4 December at Badalona Centre Internacional de Negocis (BCIN), brought together more than 200 researchers and health professionals from the Can Ruti Campus for a day dedicated to fostering collaboration and sharing the latest scientific advances. The event - also a chance to celebrate the recent IIS IGTP reaccreditation - included presentations, poster sessions, and discussion forums, strengthening scientific synergies on the campus. More information
Cutting-edge research
A therapy jointly developed by the Heart Failure and Cardiac Regeneration (ICREC) research group at IGTP and Banc de Sang i Teixits has shown promising results. PeriCord cardiac bioimplants, designed to repair the hearts of patients who have suffered a heart attack, have been tested in seven pioneering tissue engineering surgeries over the course of three years. Results demonstrate excellent biocompatibility and no incidence of rejection. Additionally, PeriCord exhibits anti-inflammatory properties and opens the door to the development of treatments for conditions beyond heart disease. More information
Researchers from the Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital and IGTP's Endocrinology and Obesity group have developed a new protocol, based on multiple response markers, to help select the best treatment for patients with acromegaly. The results of the ACROFAST nationwide study, were published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism. These findings show that the protocol speeds up the early detection of complications and enhances the rapid control of the disease's effects. More information
Outstanding projects
The European INNOVA4TB project, coordinated by IGTP's Innovation in Respiratory Infections and Tuberculosis Diagnosis research group, has concluded five years of ground-breaking research in the fight against tuberculosis. This international consortium - made up of sixteen institutions - has generated twenty-five scientific articles and boosted the professional development of over fifty participants through training placements. The team has worked on new methodologies for diagnosing the disease, investigating antibiotic resistance, and identifying compounds with antimycobacterial activity, laying the foundations for improving clinical management of tuberculosis and strengthening the global response to this health threat. More information
NanoBiCar, a European project coordinated by Universitat Politècnica de València with the participation of IGTP's Clinical and Experimental Microbiology Unit (UMCiE), has received 3 million euros in funding from the European Commission's EIC Pathfinder program. Its aim is to develop an innovative immunotherapeutic approach for treating bacterial infections, using tuberculosis as a proof of concept. More information
Innovation serving health
This year, IGTP has enhanced its commitment to knowledge transfer and generating health impact by adding two new spin-offs to its innovation ecosystem: Debios Diagnostics and HealthTech Innovations. Debios Diagnostics is focused on developing new non-invasive methods and in vitro diagnostic devices to support healthcare professionals in detecting and monitoring genitourinary diseases. Meanwhile, HealthTech Innovations aims to redefine efficiency and safety in operating theatres by integrating advanced technology for nursing and sterilisation support. More information
Innomed, an innovation-in-health initiative jointly promoted by the Consorci Sanitari del Maresme, Germans Trias i Pujol University Hospital, Institut Català d'Oncologia, Josep Carreras Leukaemia Research Institute, IrsiCaixa, Institut Guttmann and IGTP, was launched at the start of the year with the support of ITEMAS. After several months of intensive activity, the program held the first edition of the Innomed Awards on 13 June, recognising three new talents chosen through its innovation project incubator. More information
A boost for scientific outreach
As part of Science Week, the Can Ruti Campus once again opened its doors to around 200 students from upper secondary schools and vocational training centres in Badalona, giving them a closer look at the biomedical research conducted there. Students were introduced to projects led by early-career researchers and toured the facilities and laboratories of the campus's various healthcare and research sites. This open-day initiative is organised by Badalona's Educational Service and IGTP. More information
IGTP's podcast, 'Un bri de ciència', launched three episodes in 2024, focusing on neuromuscular diseases, inflammatory bowel disease, and respiratory diseases, with participation from Gisela Nogales, Josep Manyé, and Raquel Guillamat, respectively. This project contributes to IGTP's goals of public awareness and outreach, ensuring that cutting-edge research from the Can Ruti Campus reaches a wide and diverse audience. More information
In short, 2024 has helped consolidate IGTP's position as a leading biomedical research institute at both the national and international level. The projects, breakthroughs, and initiatives of this period highlight the Institute's contributions to innovation and improving global health, while also reinforcing its commitment to collaboration, scientific excellence, and knowledge transfer.