The research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) of the University of Navarra has received a donation from the BNP Paribas bank to develop a study on liver cancer. "After last year's experience in which we financed two projects for the integration of disabled people, this time the area of Corporate & Investment Banking has decided to dedicate to research the budget that we used to allocate to more than 2,000 Christmas gifts for our customers. This measure allows us to develop our social commitment," explains Juan Briz, director communications at BNP Paribas, one of the world's leading banks. The financial group applies the same policy at the international level.

BNP Paribas is going to collaborate with the laboratory of Viral Hepatitis of the CIMA which, together with the high school Pasteur in Paris, will carry out a study to prevent liver cancer in patients chronically infected by hepatitis C virus. According to Dr. Jesús Prieto, director of the area of Gene Therapy and Hepatology, "when the causal agent is not eliminated with antiviral treatment, the patient can develop liver cirrhosis. In addition, this process increases the risk of liver cancer. The knowledge of the molecular mechanisms responsible for tumor degeneration is essential for the design of effective drugs against this disease. In this sense, at CIMA we have initiated, in partnership with Professor Eliane Meurs from high school Pasteur in Paris, a program of research that aims to inhibit cellular proteins involved in the training of liver cancer".

With the main goal of research to cure, the CIMA dedicates its activity to basic research and to the development of products for diagnosis and treatment of diseases to be applied to clinical activity. The center is funded through a technology transfer contract with 15 national institutions and companies. Researchers also receive grants and other support for specific projects. At present, CIMA has more than 40 patents and expects to reach patients with one of them in 2009.