IBEC and Genomica (Zeltia Group), the leading Spanish company in molecular diagnostics, announce the creation of a Joint Research Unit that will provide an operational framework for close interaction on various R&D activities related to healthcare. The unit, which will be located at IBEC's headquarters in the Parc Científic de Barcelona, will see researchers and industry technicians sharing a host of know-how and in-house capabilities to develop and bring to market point-of-care diagnostic products and other medical devices and technologies. 

IBEC’s researchers in the unit will supply the scientific knowledge with their expertise in biosensors, micro- and nanofabrication, signal processing and bioengineering, while the members from Genomica’s side will offer market intelligence, clinical evaluation and regulations, and diagnostics know-how.

It’s the first time that IBEC’s researchers will physically work together alongside industry personnel, though the institute already has several existing collaborations and research agreements – with companies such as Ferrer International and Ficosa, as well as Genomica itself – related to the development of specific projects and the transfer of technologies.

“The establishment of our joint unit bridges the often wide gap between research and industry, and will enable many of our health-based research areas that we have at IBEC to reach the market and the patient sooner,” said Dr. Josep Samitier, Director of IBEC. “This long-term collaboration with Genomica demonstrates the confidence that this major company – currently the leader in forensic identification in Spain and an international benchmark – has in IBEC as the right partner to offer the deep scientific knowledge and state-of-the-art scientific instrumentation to respond to specific industrial needs in the area of healthcare technology.”