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International conference Horizons of Biomedicine: Two Decades of Discovery. Photo / IRB Barcelona
 20.04.2026

More than 500 people celebrated IRB Barcelona’s 20th anniversary at the international conference Horizons of Biomedicine: Two Decades of Discovery

The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), based at the University of Barcelona’s Scientific Park (PCB-UB), celebrated the institution’s 20th anniversary this weekend by organising an international scientific conference, Horizons of Biomedicine: Two Decades of Discovery, which brought together more than 500 attendees at the World Trade Center, with world leaders in cancer and ageing research.

At the opening session, the Director of IRB Barcelona, Dr Francesc Posas, reviewed the centre’s history since its creation in 2005, highlighting its commitment to basic research as a driver of progress in medicine. “Over these 20 years, IRB Barcelona has become an international benchmark in the research of cancer and other diseases linked to ageing,” the director stated.

The Institute currently has 28 research groups and 9 scientific platforms, and over its history more than 2,800 people have been part of its community.

First-rate science and new generations

The scientific programme brought together international leaders in biomedical research such as Joan Massagué, Hans Clevers, Johanna Joyce, Scott Lowe, Marian Walhout, Brenda Andrews, Luke O’Neill and John Dick. Throughout the conference, they addressed some of the major current challenges in the field, from cancer biology and metastasis to metabolism, immunology and gene regulation.

The meeting also placed special emphasis on the new generations of scientists, with short presentations from young researchers who shared the stage with international leaders.

A very special celebration

Beyond the scientific programme, the event culminated on Friday with a celebration with the IRB Barcelona community, which highlights the Institute’s track record and its impact.

The event included a performance by the singer Meritxell Nederman and a sand art piece, which offered a visual and poetic journey through the history of science.

Similarly, testimonies were also collected from people connected to IRB Barcelona, including one of its founders, Dr Joan Massagué; a metastatic breast cancer patient, Pilar Ros; the Executive Patron of the Manuel Lao Foundation, Clara Campás; and a venture capital manager from ASABYS.

Next, the pastry chef Oriol Balagué publicly presented a cake created especially for the occasion, and the celebration concluded with a performance by the Jove de Barcelona human tower team, who, with the help of the entire community, built a human tower.