The CIMA, a new research center that integrates the entire scientific production cycle.

"The CIMA is designed to find solutions to diseases and patient suffering," said Francisco Errasti. The director general of research center Applied Medicine of the University of Navarra presented the new building, which will be officially inaugurated by the Prince and Princess of Asturias on the 28th.

"We have the entire scientific production process in our hands: from research at laboratory to the possibility of carrying out clinical trials at the University Clinic and patenting the results," he added. In this sense, he pointed out that there are already "some patents granted and we are ready to develop and commercialize them".

The CIMA, a 15,030 square meter building in which 320 researchers and scientists will work, was created in response to the need to combat the diseases that today cause 90% of deaths in the Western world and that still have no cure. "The convenience and necessity of developing an international research was raised. This approach was combined with the infrastructure that we already had at the University of Navarra: the University Clinic, the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences...", explained Francisco Errasti.

Medical healing instinct

The scientists will work in four areas: Oncology, Neurosciences, Cardiovascular Physiopathology and Gene Therapy and Hepatology, selected on the basis of their importance in healthcare, their social repercussions and the experience and research tradition of the University of Navarra and its University Clinic. "They were chosen thinking that they were the relevant lines of research for the next 20-25 years in modern society, especially in Western society," he said. Within these four areas, the researchers will focus on 22 biomedical research projects.

Another of the novelties of CIMA, in his opinion, is its financing model , a pioneer in Spain, which makes it possible to channel the social commitment of various entities that have opted to support the biomedical research . In 2003, a contract for research and technology transfer was signed with 15 companies and entities constituted in a joint venture (Unión Temporal de Empresas) whereby "in exchange for financing the research, they will be the owners of the results obtained". Among the signatories of this agreement -which will finance 152 million euros over ten years- are the biotechnology entities and companies affiliated with groups such as BBVA, El Corte Inglés, Pontegadea (Amancio Ortega's company), Omega Capital (Alicia Koplowitz's), group Masaveu, Corporación Caja Navarra, Sodena, Caja Rural de Navarra, Unicaja, Ungria Patentes, group Fuertes (El Pozo), Caixa Galicia and Fundación IEISA.

Dr. Jesús Prieto, director of the area of Gene Therapy and Hepatology, insisted that "this building is the result of a medical instinct for healing and also of a way of doing academic medicine". In relation to his area of research, he indicated that "chronic liver diseases pose a great problem not only epidemiologically, but also therapeutically. It is urgent to find treatments for these processes. For those diseases for which conventional treatment is not possible, we will investigate the resource of gene therapy, a procedure that consists of transferring genes to the diseased tissue to achieve a therapeutic effect".

project multidisciplinary

In the Neurosciences area the research will focus on the study of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's: "Neurodegenerative diseases cause a great alteration in the lives of patients, have a high incidence and a great social impact and staff", recalled Dr. José Masdeu, director of this area. On the other hand, he referred to the need to carry out this project in partnership with other national and foreign centers: "The research in this and other areas cannot be done in isolation. We need to work with colleagues from Spain and also international researchers".

For his part, Javier Díez, director of the area de Fisiopatología Cardiovascular, pointed out that "the leading cause of disease and death in Western countries is cardiovascular disease and it is predicted that within two decades it will be the leading cause of death worldwide". In his opinion, "these diseases challenge the economic and social survival of our civilization". To this end, research will focus on two main areas: atherosclerosis and arterial hypertension. "Hypertensive heart disease must be detected early. We are interested in developing patents in this area, and this is where we have begun the journey."

Finally, the researchers of the Oncology area , directed by Dr. Luis Montuenga, will focus on the study of three types of cancer: lung cancer, hematological neoplasms and colon and rectal cancer. "We want to focus the research on cancer in very specific aspects and with a work multidisciplinary , linked to the University Clinic and the Schools of Medicine, Pharmacy, Sciences, etc. The integration multidisciplinary that converges in the projects is one of the profiles of this Center," said Dr. Montuenga.