The prize recognises the research work of Sánchez, ICREA Research Professor at IBEC. These awards, presented by the Valencian Foundation Rei Jaume I Awards, aim to bring science and business closer together in order to promote research, scientific development and entrepreneurship in Spain.
The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) has secured over €27 million in Horizon Europe funding for the period 2021–2024, thus consolidating its position as one of Spain’s leading centres. IBEC ranks fifth among research centres in terms of return on investment and seventh among national entities in terms of ERC funding. This success is underpinned by a project management model that combines scientific excellence with robust support for securing European funding.
The Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia brought together researchers, investors and industry leaders with its event “IBEC Health Revolution Day: Engineering the Future of Medicine”, as part of the Health Revolution Congress. Through expert panels, technology pitches and scientific talks, the event showcased cutting-edge biomedical technologies and discussed how to translate scientific discoveries into real-world healthcare solutions.
The Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia took part in the 2025–2026 edition of the CCCB’s ALIA educational programme. This initiative brought around 170 secondary school students together with researchers and artists to explore the challenges facing future medicine through the lenses of bioengineering, bioethics, and artistic creation. The programme culminated in a closing ceremony held on 5 May.
On 13 May, the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia opened an exhibition featuring three collaborative works created through the first edition of “Open Dialogues”, a programme that brings together artists and IBEC researchers. Addressing issues such as gender bias in healthcare, the sensory translation of cellular processes and the parallels between artistic and scientific practices based on the olfactory experience, the pieces were created through a dialogue between art and science.
Duchenne Parent Project Spain has invested €247,000 in the BEAT project, which will be carried out by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC). Cardiomyopathy is the leading cause of death in patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD). Around 20,000 new Duchenne cases are diagnosed globally each year.
On 30 April, the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia held the twelfth reSEARCH4TALENT event, which is aimed at undergraduate and postgraduate students interested in pursuing a career in research. The event brought together close to 50 people, who were able to learn about life at the institute, speak with researchers, and tour the laboratories.
From 21 to 24 April 2026, IBEC had a significant presence at TERMISEU 2026, the leading European conference on tissue engineering and regenerative medicine. Held at the Palma Conference Centre in Mallorca, the event brought together more than 1,600 researchers.
Research carried out at IBEC by Samuel Sánchez and his team has led to the development of a new generation of therapeutic nanorobots. These nanorobots can move through the body, reach tumours and deliver drugs with great precision. These nanorobots have already reduced bladder tumours by up to 90% in preclinical models and are being investigated for use in treating other diseases. They were presented to the public at MWC26 through an immersive experience demonstrating how this technology could transform future treatments.
The University of Barcelona Science Park (PCB-UB) has launched its first Workplace Travel Plan (PDE), a joint initiative by the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona), Biocat, the Scientific and Technological Centers of the UB (CCiTUB), and the PCB itself, aimed at improving commuting mobility and reducing the environmental impact of daily travel.