Scientists build machine learning-based algorithm to predict which cancer patients benefit from immunotherapy Blog Post

Scientists at the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) in the Barcelona Science Park, in collaboration with the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG) and Radboud University, have built a tool that detects genetic mutations that trigger the immune system, helping identify which cancer patients are more likely to benefit from immunotherapy. The algorithm also reveals which people living with hereditary diseases may benefit from drugs that already exist. The new technology’s potential is described today in Nature Genetics.

 

The biotechnology company Aromics has been recognized as one of the most innovative Biotecs at the Sino-Europe Healthtech Innovation Week in China Blog Post

The Horizon 2020 project BERMES aimed to develop a novel therapy for malignant mesothelioma, lead by the catalan biotech company Aromics, was recognized as one of the most innovative initiatives at the Sino-Europe Innovation Week of Health Technology which was held from 12th to 16th October at two of the most technological and powerful cities in China: Nanjing and Shanghai. The biotechnology company, located at the Barcelona Science Park, participated in the event as part of a mission organized by the BioRegion of Catalonia to explore new opportunities for collaboration with Chinese companies and institutions and to learn about the experience of other European clusters in the Asian giant.

 

New Born Solutions chosen to take part in the EIT Health Digital Sandbox Blog Post

New Born Solutions, based in the Barcelona Science Park (PCB), was one of the 10 small and medium-sized enterprises chosen to take part in the Digital Sandbox accelerator programme developed by EIT Health, the Knowledge and Innovation in Health Community, promoted by the European Institute of Innovation & Technology (EIT). The winning start-ups, chosen from around thirty applicants from all over Europe, will receive advisory services and up to €35,000 in funding to develop products and services making use of the data available on biobanks and quality registers in Europe.

 

IBEC obtains a second accreditation as Severo Ochoa Centre of Excellence Blog Post

The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), based in the Barcelona Science Park, is one of the six centres in Spain to be awarded accreditation in this round of the Severo Ochoa Excellence programme. Furthermore, IBEC is the only center that receives this accreditation for the second time. The awards last for four years and bring a million euros each year to the winning centres, it also implies strengthening research capacities and boosting success rates in other competitive funding programmes.

 

Rob Surgical, a spin-off from IBEC and UPC, closes a €5 million investment round Blog Post

Rob Surgical, a spin-off created by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), based in the PCB, and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC) in 2012, has closed a €5 million investment round with the Dutch holding Scranton Enterprises to fund the final phase of the new Bitrack System –an alternative to the current laparoscopy surgical robot Da Vinci– and launch the product onto the market.

 

The Barcelona Science Park takes part in the European Researchers’ Night Blog Post

More than 130 students from five educational institutions attended the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) today to take part in the Matí de la Recerca, an initiative developed as part of the European Researchers’ Night in Catalonia (EuNightCat). The latter has grown since the previous edition, running a series of activities on 27 and 28 September. The European Commission promotes the European Researchers’ Night project within the Horizon 2020 Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions programme, seeking to bring science and technology closer to the general public, break stereotypes about researchers and encourage young people to pursue a career in research. Around 300 European cities celebrate the European Researchers’ Night on the last Friday of September.

 

The sequence of the almond tree and peach tree genomes will be key tools in their genetic improvement and adaptation to climate change Blog Post

An international team led by researchers of the Centre for Research in Agricultural Genomics (CRAG) in conjunction with Tyler Alioto of the Centre Nacional d’Anàlisi Genòmica (CNAG-CRG) –based in PCB and part of the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)– has sequenced the genome of the almond tree and compared it to that of its closest relative, the peach tree. The results provide some unique insights into the recent evolution of both species and will be key tools in their genetic improvement, including the eradication of bitter almonds, fruit quality and adaptation to climate change.

 

DD BioLab strengthens its leadership in the Spanish biotechnology sector Blog Post

The acquisition of Cultek and Teknovas by the Dutscher Group, the leading independent distributor of laboratory supplies in Europe, its Spanish subsidiary, DD BioLab, as the leading supplier in Spain of scientific instruments, consumables and laboratory equipment for research in biotechnology and health. Since it was established in Barcelona Science Park in 2014, DD BioLab has registered sustained 39% annual growth. In 2018, its turnover was around €5M and it expects to exceed €10M in 2022. 

 

DROPLITE opens in Barcelona Science Park Blog Post

DROPLITE, a spin-off of the Institute of Photonic Sciences (ICFO), has joined the Barcelona Science Park’s Community to boost its entrepreneurial project. The company has developed a lab-on-a-chip device that allows a rapid and accurate way to test and monitor key diseases and other health conditions in both humans and animals at the patient Point of Care (POC).