Last week, Barcelona played host to MWC26, the world’s premier technology and connectivity event. The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia was in attendance, showcasing some of its spin-offs and state-of-the-art biomedical technologies, including: Nanobots Therapeutics, Lumiris Spectral Solutions, and Drug4Sight.
The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia’s (IBEC) presence at MWC26 Barcelona once again highlighted its pivotal role in developing cutting-edge biomedical technologies and transferring knowledge to industry. Three of the institute’s initiatives — Nanobots Therapeutics, Drug4Sight and Lumiris Spectral Solutions — participated in the congress, representing different areas and reinforcing IBEC’s position within the Catalan innovation ecosystem.
Nanobots Therapeutics: one of the stars of MWC26
Nanobots Therapeutics, a spin-off from IBEC and ICREA, was selected by Mobile World Capital Barcelona as one of five immersive experiences to be featured in its exhibition space this year. Located in Hall 6, the exhibition showcased MotionTx technology to the public. This technology is based on self-propelled nanobots that can deliver drugs directly to tumour tissues and other affected areas with great precision. Motion Tx is the result of research led by Samuel Sánchez, an ICREA research professor at IBEC and the principal investigator of the Smart nano-bio-devices group, as well as the CSO of Nanobots Therapeutics.
The conference opening was marked by visits from various institutional figures, including Barcelona’s mayor, Jaume Collboni; Catalonia’s president, Salvador Illa; and Spain’s King Felipe VI, who toured the stand and witnessed the clinical potential of these nanobots first-hand. Throughout the week, the Nanobots Therapeutics team presented the therapeutic possibilities of the platform to visitors, journalists, and professionals. The company also gave interviews to various media outlets and held a press conference, during which Samuel Sánchez and Marta Soler (CEO of Nanobots Therapeutics) detailed the preclinical advances and upcoming milestones, as well as the expansion of MotionTx into new areas of application.
Advances in the Drug4Sight project at 4YFN
The Drug4Sight project, led by Pau Gorostiza (ICREA research professor at IBEC and principal investigator of the Nanoprobes and Nanoswitches group) and Rosalba Sortino (a researcher in the same group), was featured at 4YFN — the MWC startup event — as part of Mobile World Capital Barcelona’s Collider programme. On Tuesday 3 March, the team had their own stand, where Rosalba Sortino and Asli Raman (IBEC’s Technology Transfer and Business Development Senior Project Manager) presented the project and its recent advances.
Drug4Sight is a deep-tech project that aims to restore vision in patients with degenerative retinal diseases, such as retinitis pigmentosa, by using light-regulated drugs to activate retinal neurons that have not been damaged by the disease. This approach offers a non-invasive, topically administered solution with high selectivity and promising safety and efficacy profiles.
That same afternoon, the team participated in Collider Community Day, a networking event held at the Beat Stage at 4YFN. Members of IBEC’s technology transfer area and researchers from the institute who participated in previous editions of the programme attended this activity, strengthening the links between research, entrepreneurship and start-ups.
Lumiris Spectral Solutions was a standout presence at Biocat’s stand
The IBEC spin-off, Lumiris Spectral Solutions, founded by Samuel Ojosnegros and Anna Seriola (principal investigator and senior researcher, respectively, of IBEC’s Bioengineering in Reproductive Health group), also played an important role at 4YFN on 4 and 5 March. Samuel Ojosnegros, Anna Seriola and Anna Ferrer presented their technology at the Biocat stand, showing how their non-invasive diagnostic imaging technology could transform assisted reproduction treatments.
On Wednesday, 4 March, Samuel Ojosnegros delivered a presentation at the Biocat stand, attracting professionals from the sector and potential investors interested in the technology’s clinical and commercial applications. The following day, Thursday 5 March, the spin-off received a visit from Vivek Badrinath, CEO of the GSMA (the organisers of MWC), who discussed Lumiris’ track record and future prospects with Anna Seriola.
IBEC’s participation in MWC26 demonstrates its strong commitment to technology transfer, entrepreneurship, and interdisciplinary research aimed at transforming healthcare. Projects such as Nanobots Therapeutics, Drug4Sight and Lumiris Spectral Solutions reflect the institute’s potential to generate high-impact clinical solutions and consolidate an internationally renowned biotechnology ecosystem.
