Gabriel Rabinovich receives the 5th Dr Baselga FERO Grant to develop new immunological strategies against pancreatic cancer

Gabriel Rabinovich, a researcher at the CaixaResearch Institute, has been awarded the 5th Dr Baselga FERO Grant, promoted by FERO Cancer with the support of the Gándara de Quadis Foundation, to develop a project focused on identifying new immunological strategies for pancreatic cancer – one of the tumours with the poorest prognosis and the greatest therapeutic challenges today.

The project, entitled “Therapeutic Remodeling of Glyco-Immune Circuits to Overcome T-Cell Exhaustion and Exclusion in Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma”, will explore how to remodel the glyco-immune circuits responsible for limiting the activity of T cells against the tumour. Its aim is to overcome the mechanisms of immune exhaustion and exclusion that hinder the anti-tumour response and reduce the effectiveness of current treatments.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma remains one of the most aggressive cancers, with one of the lowest survival rates. Understanding how the tumour microenvironment blocks the activity of the immune system is one of the most promising lines of research for developing more effective therapies and improving patient prognosis.

The grant was presented last night during the FERO Gala 2026, where FERO Cancer recognised seven outstanding research projects, with total funding of close to one million euros to drive new advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

At the CaixaResearch Institute, a biomedical research centre specialising in immunology promoted by the ”la Caixa” Foundation, it is highlighted that this recognition underscores the international relevance of the research led by Rabinovich and its potential to generate significant advances in the field of immuno-oncology.

“The award of this grant recognises a highly innovative line of research with enormous clinical potential. Gabriel Rabinovich’s work represents the kind of excellent, transformative science that we aim to promote at the CaixaResearch Institute: research capable of advancing fundamental knowledge while at the same time bringing new solutions closer to patients,” says Àngel Font, Executive Director of the CaixaResearch Institute.

Gabriel Rabinovich highlighted the significance of this distinction at the start of his research stage at the institute: “It is a tremendous honour. This recognition comes at a very meaningful moment in my arrival at the CaixaResearch Institute, following so many years of work at IBYME (CONICET) in Argentina, and represents a major boost to continue consolidating our work in cancer immunology. It is also an important support for advancing new approaches that will allow us to improve therapeutic options for a tumour as complex and difficult to treat as pancreatic cancer.”

The 5th Dr Baselga FERO Grant forms part of the FERO Cancer research funding programme, created to promote projects of scientific excellence and accelerate the incorporation of new advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment. With the support of organisations committed to biomedical research, such as the Gándara de Quadis Foundation, these grants help to strengthen the scientific ecosystem and foster innovation in oncology.

About FERO Cancer

FERO Cancer is a private, independent foundation dedicated to funding excellence in translational oncology research in Spain, enabling patients to benefit more rapidly from scientific advances in cancer. This model, based on scientific rigour and direct impact on patients, makes it a distinctive actor within the cancer research ecosystem.

Over its 25-year history, the FERO Foundation has invested more than 30 million euros in oncology research through its three core pillars: grants, the FERO Academy and institutional partnerships. To date, it has awarded a total of 77 grants, and each year more than 4,000 patients benefit from advanced cancer analysis programmes supported by FERO.

About the CaixaResearch Institute

The CaixaResearch Institute, inaugurated in April 2026 in Barcelona and promoted by the ”la Caixa” Foundation, is the first centre in Spain and Portugal dedicated entirely to immunology and one of the pioneers in Europe. With an investment of 100 million euros, it aims to become an international benchmark in translational research to improve the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of prevalent diseases such as cancer and infections.

The centre comprises a 20,000 m² facility, with capacity for around 500 people when fully operational, and an initial budget of 10 million euros in 2026 to attract talent and equipment, with the aim of advancing knowledge of the immune system and its relationship with the most common diseases.