29 projects receive support from the ”la Caixa” Foundation to transfer their cutting-edge research from the laboratory to patients

The 2023 call of the new CaixaImpulse Innovation programme has awarded 3.3 million euros to 29 biomedical research projects, with the aim of contributing to the transfer of research findings to society and the market and fostering the creation of new products, services and companies related to life sciences and health.

Some of the most notable projects focus on developing innovative therapies to combat paediatric brain tumours, treat chronic liver diseases using RNA and reduce inflammatory bowel disease; they also include medical devices, such as collagen biobatteries that serve as a power source for electronic skin devices; and cutting-edge diagnostic systems, like a method for the early detection of bladder cancer, or an innovative urine test as an alternative to kidney biopsies to identify renal fibrosis.

This initiative, which provides the selected entrepreneurial scientists with financial support and guidance through individualised mentoring and training, is carried out in collaboration with Caixa Capital Risc and in partnership with the Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT) of the Portuguese Ministry of Science, Technology and Higher Education, which is funding two projects in this call.