The Cima University of Navarra celebrates 20 years of biomedical research at the service of the patient.

The Cima University of Navarra celebrates 20 years of biomedical research at the service of the patient. Two decades of commitment to disruptive ideas that guide the development of advanced therapies for prevalent and rare diseases.

Inaugurated on September 28, 2004 by the then Prince and Princess of Asturias, D. Felipe and D. Letizia, the research center of the Clínica Universidad de Navarra was born with the purpose research to cure, initially in 4 specific areas: oncology, neurosciences, cardiovascular diseases and gene therapy and hepatology.

"The contribution of 15 companies, through a novel contract for the transfer of research and technology, allowed the launching of Cima.Currently, our funding is based on three pillars: national and international competitive projects, agreements with companies and philanthropy. This means of income allows us to advance in our purpose to carry out translational science of excellence, orienting our scientific projects to the real needs of the patient", explains José Andrés Gómez Cantero, director general of Cima.

Currently, more than 400 professionals from 18 countries are developing innovative projects in the areas of cancer, DNA and RNA medicine and technological innovation. As explained by its scientific director , Antonio Pineda-Lucenaexplains, "at the area del Cáncer, which is part of the Cancer Center Clínica Universidad de Navarrawe study the mechanisms involved in the development of solid and hematological tumors. We also seek to improve treatment options and the quality of life of patients through new combinations of immunotherapy and intratumoral radiotherapy. On the other hand, in the area of DNA and RNA we focus our efforts on the research of the information Genetics to treat rare oncological and neurodegenerative diseases. Finally, in area Technology Innovation we integrate state-of-the-art tools that allow us to address therapeutic solutions from an innovative perspective, through tissue engineering, computational modeling and quantitative biology".

40 active patents and 6 spin-offs

Since 2004 the Cima has generated more than 130 inventions, which have resulted in 40 active patents.

In addition, the science developed by the teams at research has given rise to 6 spin-offs, start-up companies focused on gene therapy for Wilson's disease and Parkinson's disease, strategies for the treatment of hemorrhage, immunotherapy in cancer and advanced cell therapies for hematological disorders.

The Cima is part of the Institute of research Sanitaria de Navarra (IdiSNA) and other multicenter consortia and actively collaborates with other centers at research. In addition, it has signed strategic alliances with international reference letter centers such as the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom.