The Prince and Princess of Asturias and Viana, Don Felipe and Doña Letizia, inaugurated the research center Applied Medicine (CIMA) of the University of Navarra. "I am sure that from now on and on a frequent basis, the CIMA will generate outstanding improvements in the different fields of Medicine. This Center, and with it Navarra and Spain, will offer notable advances in health, and with it, an unquestionable benefit to humanity as a whole".

With these words, Prince Felipe referred to the new building, where 350 professionals will work to find solutions to the diseases that cause 90% of deaths in the western world. I think it is a satisfaction and a great hope for everyone," he said, "to know that several hundred researchers are working every day in the fields of oncology, neurosciences, hepatology and cardiology. They do it in the front line of the international research , with the most advanced means and techniques and in contact with other important centers of research in the world".

The Prince of Asturias and Viana affirmed that the CIMA was born "thanks to the impulse of the University of Navarra, an institution of international prestige in different fields and especially in the field of Medicine, in which it has a center of great renown such as the Clínica Universitaria de Navarra". In this regard, he recalled the time spent by the Count of Barcelona, Don Juan de Borbón, in this health institution, where he could see "the impeccable medical attention and staff".

speech complete of Don Felipe de Borbón

The sick, raison d'être and driving force of the CIMA

For his part, the President, José Mª Bastero, insisted that "the CIMA arises with a clear vocation for applied medicine. The ultimate aim of the scientific work is to offer the possibility of curing diseases that affect millions of people. These sick people are the true raison d'être of this center and also its driving force. He also referred to the effort involved in setting it up and thanked the companies and institutions that, "with a clear vision and aware of the importance of the research for the future of our society, have placed their trust in this project".

Professor Bastero pointed out that although research cannot promise results, the staff of CIMA "will spare no effort to fulfill the hopes generated". The confidence of these companies and institutions, in his opinion, will not be disappointed due to "the involvement of our Schools of Medicine, Sciences, Pharmacy and the University Clinic, and the human and scientific quality of the group of researchers gathered here".

Finally, he thanked the Prince and Princess of Asturias and Viana for their presence at the inauguration of the building: "Their Highnesses represent that democratic and prosperous nation that, in order to continue advancing, must work seriously to place itself at the forefront of knowledge. From today, the research center Médica Aplicada modestly wishes to join in this endeavor".

speech complete President of the University of Navarra

Advanced technical methods

During the inauguration, a ceremony was held at presentation with the participation of the President of the Government of Navarra, Miguel Sanz; the director general of the Center, Francisco Errasti; and the directors of the four areas of research on which the scientists of CIMA will focus their efforts: Dr. Jesús Prieto (Gene Therapy and Hepatology), José Masdeu (Neurosciences); Dr. Luis Montuenga (Oncology), and Javier Díez (Cardiovascular Physiopathology).

Miguel Sanz pointed out that "in this Center, the most advanced technical and organizational methods are applied, quality objectives are rigorously followed and competitiveness is sought, with the aim of making the Center self-financing in the long term goal deadline with income from patents for the advances generated in the Center itself and from other elements of the market".

Likewise, he added that research is "an essential instrument for any society to advance towards well-being. It is evident that the more importance and the more means are given to this end, the more speed will be achieved in that goal".

speech complete by Miguel Sanz

A social initiative project

On the other hand, Francisco Errasti declared that "biomedical science is one of the best gifts that society can offer to future generations" and indicated that the goal of CIMA is "research to know, research to cure, to bring solutions to suffering to the sick".

He also defined CIMA as a "project of social initiative", since "not only a good group of businessmen and friends have contributed to its start-up with their generosity, but later, another smaller group and with a clear awareness of what a center like this contributes to society as a whole, have underpinned it with substantial contributions that will make it possible". In his opinion, the research benefits society as a whole: "The distinction between public and private is made up of blurred boundaries and is today confusing and certainly inadequate".

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 have participated in this project . Other grants have also been received, such as that of Esther Koplowitz, which has financed a laboratory on Neurobiology in Alzheimer's disease. This has been recorded on a commemorative plaque.

speech complete by Francisco Errasti

visit to the laboratories of research

Upon their arrival at research center Médica Aplicada, the Prince and Princess were received by the President of the Government of Navarra, Miguel Sanz, and by President, José Mª Bastero. Then, eight-year-old Ana Moncada Höhr presented Princess Letizia with a drawing and a bouquet of flowers. This girl is the granddaughter of Dr. Emilio Moncada, a doctor who treated Don Juan de Borbón at the University Clinic. After greeting the civil and academic authorities, they entered the new building, where they toured part of the facilities.

Among other stays, they were able to observe the work performed in the Proteomics, Genomics and Sequencing unit, directed by Dr. Fernando Corrales, where biological samples are analyzed with the goal to identify the thousands of proteins that constitute them.

They then visited the Morphology and Imaging Unit, whose goal is to offer a quality Histology and Image Analysis service to meet the needs of researchers in the four areas of research at CIMA. Dr. Rubén Pío showed them some of the tools available for image processing and analysis (illustration, statistical analysis, 3D reconstruction, etc.).

The Prince and Princess also visited the laboratory of Molecular Biology, Biochemistry and Oncobiology -corresponding to the area of Gene Therapy and Hepatology-. There they were interested in the work developed by a team multidisciplinary formed by biologists, pharmacologists, physicians, etc., who study the regulatory mechanism of development of cirrhosis and its progression to liver cancer by identifying genes that may participate in this process to regulate its activity. From there, accompanied by Dr. Carmen Berasain, they visited one of the cell culture rooms, with incubators and sterilization cabinets, and a cold storage room.

Afterwards, they signed the University's Book of Honor, where they referred to CIMA with these words: "This is a reason for the medical and university community of Navarra and also for the whole of Spain to congratulate itself. His success and example will undoubtedly be maintained if the enthusiasm and dedication with which he began his career are preserved".

For his part, the President made them submission of the reproduction of source Mora (1909), one of the best photographs of the artist José Ortiz Echagüe, whose collection is at the University of Navarra. The work belongs to his "North of Africa" series, which he made between 1909 and 1915 and which belongs to the first print created by the University from the original negative.

Afterwards, the Prince and Princess moved to the main entrance hall of the building, where, after a speech of President, they unveiled a commemorative plaque that read: "Their Royal Highnesses the Prince and Princess of Asturias and Viana inaugurated this research center Applied Medicine of the University of Navarra on September 28, 2004".

Outside, the Prince and Princess greeted the people who had gathered around the building and participated in a small aperitif attended by the authorities and about 40 representatives of the various services and Departments of CIMA. At this meeting, the Dean of Medicine, Mª Pilar Civeira, presented them with a book published on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of School. Finally, they were photographed with all the professionals currently working at the Center.