Three ibs.GRANADA projects receive the ITEMAS Quality Seal, the innovation platform of the Carlos III Health Institute
The POWERSTOOL, Innovative Analysis of miRNA Biomarkers in Blood and IMMUCHECK projects have been recognized for their excellence and innovative potential in the field of health
El Biosanitary Research Institute of Granada (ibs.GRANADA) has been awarded the prestigious quality seal of the Platform for the Dynamization and Innovation of the industrial capabilities of the National Health System and its effective transfer to the productive sector (ITEMS) for three innovative and high-impact research projects, after their presentation to the ITEMAS Innovation Support program, of the Institute of Health Carlos III (ISCIII). These projects cover critical areas of health, from the treatment of rectal cancer, to the detection of biomarkers in blood, and the evaluation of cellular immunity.
The project POWERSTOOL, one of those awarded this seal, addresses defecatory dysfunction post-treatment of rectal cancer, which seriously affects the quality of life of 47% of patients. By instilling a patented functional compound through the ileostomy, the aim is to restore stool formation, rehabilitate the intestinal microbiota and restore intestinal function. Pilot studies have shown promising results, and the goal is to extend this treatment to a broader population and to patients with greater dependence.
The second award-winning project was “Innovative Analysis of miRNA Biomarkers in Blood”. This project develops an innovative technology for the detection of micro-RNAs (miRNAs) in blood, crucial biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases such as cancer and neurodegenerative disorders. The technology, characterized by its low cost and high sensitivity, focuses on colorectal cancer, but is adaptable to other pathologies with panels of well-defined miRNA markers, allowing robust characterization, even in early stages of tumor development.
Project researchersInnovative Analysis of miRNA Biomarkers in Blood"
IMMUCHECK, the third of the projects awarded in this call, is an innovative, economical and robust method to evaluate cellular immunity mediated by T cells, crucial to diagnose autoimmune diseases, evaluate the immune response and determine the effectiveness of immunotherapy. After validation in the laboratory with patient samples from the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital in Granada, the project seeks to advance towards hospital validation, adjusting to regulations and exploring large-scale production, highlighting its post-COVID-19 pandemic relevance. .
Researchers of the project «IMMUCHECK«
El ITEMAS Innovation Support and Accompaniment program is the central axis of the ISCIII health innovation platform, which aims to promote high-impact and quality health innovation projects to accelerate its implementation in the National Health System and its arrival to patients. The ibs.GRANADA, together with its attached unit, the Torrecárdenas University Hospital, belongs to the ITEMAS ISCIII platform, which allows them to submit projects to this program. On this occasion, the Institute has supported for the first time the presentation of four research projects developed in the provinces of Granada and Almería.
This program has been presented 40 projects highly competitive from 26 units and 82 associated units at the national level, and only 15 have obtained this quality seal. Among the winners are the three ibs.GRANADA projects: POWERSTOOL, Innovative Analysis of miRNA Biomarkers in Blood and IMMUCHECK. The ITEMAS Quality Seal, awarded after the evaluation of the Innovation Committee, allows access to support services of the Accompaniment Program. The teams have received a report with specific recommendations to continue developing these projects, which focus on key areas such as oncology, biomarkers and biomedical technologies, characteristics of the Granada institute.
About the ibs.GRANADA
The Instituto de Investigación Biosanitaria ibs.GRANADA, is the only center accredited by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII) that develops biomedical research of excellence in Granada and one of the four accredited in Andalusia by the ISCIII.
The ibs.GRANADA is structured in four Scientific Areas: Oncology, Precision Medicine, Epidemiology and Public Health and Technology and Advanced Therapies that develop an intense research activity and lead the transfer of research results to society, which are reflected in the 1.210 publications made in scientific journals, totaling 6.668 impact factor points, as well as 19 patents applied for during 2023.
Currently, the Institute brings together 1.088 professionals and 69 multidisciplinary research groups that comprise, from the University of Granada, the Virgen de las Nieves University Hospital, the San Cecilio Clinical University Hospital, the Andalusian School of Public Health and the centers of Primary Care of Granada.
The main objectives of ibs.GRANADA are to promote biomedical, clinical and epidemiological research carried out by the different groups attached to the institute and to facilitate translational research in Granada hospitals. This research activity translates into the generation of knowledge and the transfer of scientific advances towards the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of priority health problems in Andalusia.
