Led by the Regional Ministry of Health, the delegation visited leading centers in Washington D.C. and Boston to establish partnerships in clinical research, artificial intelligence, and medical education.

From May 4 to 9, 2025, an institutional delegation from Cantabria held a series of working sessions in the United States with the aim of exploring models of excellence in healthcare research and innovation, and establishing new international collaborations with a direct impact on the regional healthcare system.

The delegation was made up of the Regional Minister of Health, César Pascual; the Scientific Director of the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and Head of the Immunology Department at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, Marcos López Hoyos; the Head of the Cardiology Department at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV), José María Fernández de la Torre; and the Managing Director of IDIVAL and coordinator of the visit series, Galo Peralta.

The agenda included meetings at internationally renowned centers such as the MedStar National Center for Human Factors in Healthcare and the MedStar Washington Hospital Center in Washington D.C., as well as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the Johnson & Johnson Innovation Center, and Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston.

During these meetings, the delegation presented several of Cantabria’s key strategic healthcare research projects, with a special focus on the Cohorte Cantabria, a population research platform integrated into the public healthcare system, which sparked notable interest among the U.S. teams.

Throughout the sessions, strategic topics were also addressed, such as the safe implementation of artificial intelligence in clinical settings, open and collaborative innovation (J&J Innovation – JLABS), transformative medical university education (MGH & Harvard), and the professionalization of clinical research support structures.

“Cantabria has shown that it is possible to combine clinical excellence, strategic vision, and first-class scientific infrastructures. This trip marks a turning point in consolidating sustainable international alliances and generating real opportunities for our professionals and our patients,” stated Galo Peralta.

For his part, César Pascual emphasized the importance of establishing strategic partnerships to drive innovation. “Collaborating across organizations such as hospitals, research centers, and technology companies — sharing knowledge, resources, and technologies — helps us develop new solutions and tackle the complex challenges of healthcare more efficiently.”

The Regional Ministry of Health and IDIVAL are committed to continuing these partnerships through the activation of professional exchanges, institutional agreements, and future reciprocal visits to Cantabria by U.S. institutions.

Solidarity and sport came together once again at a new edition of the Trail Nocturno de Cicero, an event that this year gathered nearly 1,000 people committed to the fight against Alzheimer’s disease. Thanks to this sporting event, the association Unidos por un Reto has donated €5,000 to the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) to support the research projects led by the Neurodegenerative Diseases group.

The event, held on April 18, brought together around 200 runners, 700 participants in the walk, and a hundred volunteers who made the day possible. All of them united for a cause that continues to mobilize the people of Cantabria: advancing knowledge about the causes and factors behind Alzheimer’s disease.

For over ten years, Unidos por un Reto, led by Óscar Negrete, has actively collaborated with the research group headed by Eloy Rodríguez, Head of the Neurology Department at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV).

According to Eloy Rodríguez, “these kinds of initiatives are priceless, not only because of the financial support they provide for research, but because they also help raise awareness about the importance of investing in health and science.” The researcher also explained that the donation will be used to “study the mechanisms of neuroinflammation throughout the continuum of Alzheimer’s disease, which is one of our current research lines”, a key area for better understanding the progression of the disease and seeking new therapeutic approaches.

Galo Peralta, IDIVAL’s Managing Director, personally thanked Óscar Negrete and the entire Unidos por un Reto team for their ongoing involvement for more than a decade. “Projects like this are a great example of how sport and solidarity can come together to change lives and open new paths in the research of neurodegenerative diseases.”

With this new contribution, Unidos por un Reto strengthens its commitment to Alzheimer’s research — a disease that affected Óscar Negrete’s father for 15 years and inspired the creation of this sports and solidarity association. Through sporting events and awareness-raising initiatives, the association keeps his memory alive and continues the fight against this devastating illness.

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) is collaborating in the 3rd Conference on Technologies and Innovation Applied to Health, organised by the Cantabria Association of Economists, which will be held on 16 May at the Cantabria Labs headquarters (La Concha de Villaescusa).

The event will bring together professionals from the healthcare, technology, academic and hospital management fields to discuss the challenges and opportunities offered by the use of Big Data, Artificial Intelligence and digitalisation in improving healthcare and advancing towards personalised, patient-centred medicine.

The conference, starting at 9:30 a.m., will feature an opening lecture and two expert panel discussions. Marcos López Hoyos, Scientific Director of IDIVAL, will be in charge of closing the session from 12:30 p.m. onwards.

In addition, several professionals linked to our institute will participate as speakers in the scheduled panel discussions:

• Rocío Montalbán, Deputy Director General for Digital Transformation at the Cantabrian Ministry of Health, and member of the IDIVAL Immunopathology Group.

• Flora Pérez, Head of Pharmaceutical Management Service at the Directorate General of Pharmacy, Humanisation and Social and Healthcare Coordination of the Government of Cantabria, and researcher at the IDIVAL Health Economics Group.

• Pedro Prada, Head of the Radiation Oncology Service at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital and IDIVAL researcher.

This forum, which is free to attend with prior registration, aims to serve as a space for reflection and debate on the impact of new technologies in healthcare, as well as an opportunity to foster synergies among the various stakeholders involved in healthcare innovation.

The 3rd Conference on Technologies and Innovation Applied to Health is also supported by the Ministry of Health of the Government of Cantabria, Cantabria Labs, the Official College of Pharmacists, the College of Physicians of Cantabria, and Banco Sabadell.

Registrations open at: www.economistascantabria.com

Science will once again take over the bars of Cantabria this May with the Pint of Science festival, the international event that brings cutting-edge research closer to the general public in a relaxed and accessible environment. And this year, several researchers from IDIVAL will be part of the program, sharing their knowledge and projects in different venues across Santander, Torrelavega, and Castro Urdiales.

For three consecutive evenings —May 19, 20, and 21— researchers from fields such as health economics, nanomedicine, psychiatry, and clinical microbiology will take to the stage in local bars to talk about science in a friendly and accessible way for all audiences.

Here’s the lineup of talks featuring IDIVAL researchers:

Monday, May 19

• Ana Peleteiro and Marta Díaz (Cohorte Cantabria) at Bar Rvbicón, Santander: How to research with 50,000 people in Cantabria?

• Carlos Armiñanzas (Infectious Diseases and Clinical Microbiology group) at Coctelería La Solía, Santander: When everything can turn into a comic book

• Olga de Cos (Health Economics group) at New Century, Torrelavega: Is the village fading away? Check the pyramid

Tuesday, May 20

• Paloma Fuentes (Psychiatry and Mental Health group) at Bar Pistones&Bielas, Castro Urdiales: Neurodrama: The brain behind your emotions

• Manuela Contreras (Nursing group) at Bar Pistones&Bielas, Castro Urdiales: Talking to children about birth and death: Let’s untangle it
  

  • In addition, María José Marín, Coordinator of Technological Services and Scientific Director of the Valdecilla Biobank, will be moderating the talks on this day in Castro Urdiales.

Wednesday, May 21

• Mónica López (Nanomedicine group) at Bar Rvbicón, Santander: Cancer target: Nanorobots on the attack

• Claudia Ovejas (Psychiatry and Mental Health group) at New Century, Torrelavega: Reality hacked: Drugs and psychosis

• Marina Barreda and Daniel Coca (Health Economics group) at New Century, Torrelavega: Made-to-order health: Economics without a prescription!

All talks will start at 7:00 p.m., with free admission until the venue reaches capacity.

Science in the bars: learning in a different way

The Pint of Science festival is held simultaneously in bars around the world and offers a unique, relaxed, and participative way to experience science. In Cantabria, the event returns to Santander, Torrelavega, and Castro Urdiales, with talks on topics as varied as cancer, mental health, rural demography, and health economics.

At IDIVAL, we would like to congratulate all our researchers for joining this initiative, which helps to promote scientific knowledge and inspire future research vocations in society.

Check the full program and venues at Pint of Science Spain

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) has secured funding to lead a European project aimed at improving healthcare and social care services in rural and hard-to-reach areas. This initiative, known as the Intelligent Digital Twin (IDT)-SAM, has a budget of 1.96 million euros, of which 1.47 million come from FEDER funds.

The project, which will be piloted locally in the municipality of Penagos, involves partners from Spain, France, and Portugal, and is part of the Interreg Sudoe cross-border cooperation programme, which seeks to provide common solutions to the territories of southwest Europe.

A strategic leadership for Cantabria

For IDIVAL, leading this project represents not only important recognition of its management capacity and international standing but also an opportunity to position Cantabria as a benchmark in integrated care for vulnerable populations in rural settings.

In this regard, the rural health centre in Penagos, coordinated by Dr. Talledo — a primary care physician from the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS), will serve as one of the pilot sites where the SAM model will be deployed to enhance the quality of life for vulnerable individuals.

A diverse and specialised consortium

The project brings together 19 partners, including beneficiaries and associated entities, from the fields of health research, public administration, the scientific system, NGOs, and social care organisations. Among them are leading centres such as the University of Cantabria, the Aragon Health Research Institute (IISA), IBIMA-FIMABIS in Andalusia, and the Portuguese organisation AIDFM.

In addition, public administrations at regional and municipal levels are participating, such as the Regional Ministry of Health of the Government of Cantabria, the Communauté de communes du Pays de Nay (France), and the Câmara Municipal de Pinhel (Portugal), among others.

IDIVAL: a reference in health and social care innovation

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute is an accredited centre by the Carlos III Health Institute and has a strong track record in biomedical and social care innovation. Thanks to its agreement with the Regional Ministry of Health of the Government of Cantabria, IDIVAL is able to implement projects through the Cantabrian Health Service, acting as a healthcare R&D executing agency in the region.

The approval of this project further strengthens its position in the transformation of the health and social care model in rural settings, combining care, research, and applied innovation.

Photo caption: María Luisa Sámano, IDIVAL’s European Project Officer, presents the SAM project at the Government of Cantabria alongside the Regional Minister of Economy, Finance, Autonomous Financing and European Funds, Luis Ángel Agüeros.

The solution incorporates computer vision to support the clinical assessment of a condition affecting nearly 500 people in Cantabria.

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), the University of Cantabria (UC) and Viacore IT have developed an innovative application that facilitates the treatment of diabetic foot for healthcare professionals without specialized podiatry training. Thanks to computer vision, this solution generates digital images for the design of temporary insoles required to treat this condition — a significant step forward in preventing and managing a disorder that, according to the latest data from Primary Care, affects 477 people in the region.

In Cantabria, there are 35,352 people over the age of 18 living with type 2 diabetes. According to the Spanish National Health System’s Diabetes Strategy, 30% of them have a “foot at risk”. This condition, driven by a combination of circulatory problems and diabetic neuropathy, is characterized by the appearance of ulcers and infections that often precede an amputation. In fact, according to the Spanish National Consensus Conference on Lower Extremity Ulcers (CONUEI), amputations occur in between 14% and 20% of these cases.

However, up to 85% of problems associated with diabetic foot can be prevented through a combination of care and health education. Early diagnosis, preventive measures and appropriate treatment are essential to preserve foot health and avoid a significant number of amputations.

Although Cantabria was the first region in Spain to include podiatry services within its public healthcare system, the lack of specialists in the National Health System means that most patients are treated primarily by Primary Care professionals.

The drive of nurse Raquel Sarabia, a member of IDIVAL’s Nursing Research Group and a lecturer at the University of Cantabria, has been key to ensuring the success of this research project. Funded through various competitive calls published by IDIVAL, her work — together with the involvement of other Primary Care nurses — has led to the creation of a tool already being successfully used in health centers in Tanos, Sarón and Santillana del Mar.

An app made in Cantabria

Fully developed by Viacore IT, this innovative solution uses computer vision to analyze images of the patient’s foot without requiring specialist podiatry knowledge. It also stores the images in a digital clinical record, helping healthcare professionals to monitor patients’ progress and compare the evolution of lesions in a structured way.

The program captures graphic resources using an electronic device (tablet or smartphone) and automatically detects both the foot’s outline and high-pressure areas with precision. From there, it analyzes the information to anticipate the need for insoles — technically referred to as pressure offloading — as well as potential lesions at an early stage. These features make it possible to design and implement highly personalized treatments that are more effective, promoting wound healing and reducing the risk of ulceration.

The software has been designed primarily for Primary Care nursing staff, though it is also useful for podiatrists, family doctors and other healthcare professionals. Its cloud-based architecture ensures it can be used by multiple users simultaneously without performance issues. In addition, it can be integrated with Single Sign-On systems, improving interoperability with other healthcare platforms.

Although it has so far only been piloted within the Cantabrian Health Service, the application has been designed for easy integration into any large-scale healthcare system. It’s also worth noting its potential for research, as it generates a significant volume of data that could be used to improve prevention and treatment protocols.

What exactly is diabetic foot?

Diabetic foot is one of the most serious complications of diabetes, characterized by the appearance of ulcers and infections. If not properly managed, it can lead to amputation. The condition results from a combination of circulatory problems linked to diabetes and diabetic neuropathy. This nerve damage causes a loss of sensation in the feet, meaning patients may not feel wounds or abnormal pressure. Together, these factors lead to poor wound healing and an increased risk of infections.

Effective offloading — relieving pressure on the foot while protecting healing tissue — is essential for treating diabetic foot ulcers. This involves redistributing weight and reducing both vertical and shear forces to prevent further damage in the affected area.

Photo caption: From left to right, Paloma González, Innovation Support Technician and Project Manager at IDIVAL; David Pérez, Business Development Director at Viacore IT; and Mónica Cueli, nurse at the Tanos Health Center, Cantabrian Health Service, and member of IDIVAL. In the text, an image of the app, and in the gallery at the end, a summary of the presentation event.

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) has successfully passed its annual certification audit, held on April 9th and 10th, reaffirming its commitment to the highest standards of quality and innovation. The external evaluation has renewed the institute’s certification under the UNE 166.002:2021 standard, relating to R&D&I Management, and the UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 standard, a global benchmark for Quality Management Systems.

The audit, conducted by an independent entity, focused specifically on two of IDIVAL’s key structures: the Valdecilla Biobank and the Innovation Support Unit.

Benchmark Standards: A Guarantee of Excellence
The UNE 166.002:2021 standard establishes the requirements for designing, implementing, maintaining, and improving an R&D&I Management System. Its aim is to help organizations promote research and innovation in a structured, systematic, and sustainable way, ensuring that innovative ideas are effectively managed from conception to application and market transfer.

Meanwhile, the UNE-EN ISO 9001:2015 standard certifies the existence of a robust Quality Management System, focused on customer satisfaction and continuous process improvement.

Valdecilla Biobank: Driving Biomedical Research
The Valdecilla Biobank has once again demonstrated its commitment to continuous improvement, consolidating its position as a strategic infrastructure for biomedical research in Cantabria. This resource provides researchers with access to high-quality biological samples and associated clinical data, under strict ethical and legal standards. The certification endorses excellence across all Biobank processes, from sample collection and processing to storage and allocation for scientific projects.

Compliance with the ISO 9001 standard in the Biobank ensures that every procedure is standardized and controlled, guaranteeing sample traceability and reliability — critical factors for scientific progress.

Innovation Support Unit: A Comprehensive Ecosystem to Drive R&D&I in Healthcare
IDIVAL’s Innovation Support Unit has been recognized for its strategic management of innovation and its fundamental role in knowledge transfer within the healthcare sector. The unit offers a comprehensive range of services covering all stages of the innovation process:

• Identification, development, and support of innovative ideas, accompanying healthcare professionals and researchers from the earliest stages through to the valorization of results.

• Management of industrial and intellectual property, including the protection of inventions through patents and intellectual property registrations.

• Promotion of technology transfer and the creation of technology-based companies (spin-offs).

• Fostering of an innovation culture through training programs, awareness initiatives, and idea contests.

• Encouragement of public-private collaboration, facilitating connections between the healthcare system and the business sector.

• Support for the valorization and development of projects through strategic partnerships.

In addition, the Innovation Support Unit stands out for two particularly strategic areas of activity:

Usability Evaluation
IDIVAL provides usability evaluation services for healthcare products and solutions, conducting thorough analyses through interaction tests with end users (professionals and patients). These evaluations help optimize the design, functionality, and safety of new devices, applications, or processes, ensuring they truly meet the needs of the healthcare environment.

The methodologies applied include field studies, heuristic tests, interviews, and other advanced techniques that help identify improvement areas and increase the chances of successful innovation adoption.

Development of Prototypes and Innovative Solutions
The unit also facilitates the development of functional prototypes for innovations emerging from clinical and research settings. Through its prototyping program, IDIVAL helps transform ideas into initial products or solutions that can be validated in real-world settings.

This support is key for maturing technologies at early stages, increasing their value, validating their clinical usefulness, and improving their market transfer or healthcare system implementation opportunities.

Digital Support Tools
A standout element is the use of Fundanet Innova, a digital platform developed with IDIVAL’s participation, which allows comprehensive management of the innovation lifecycle: from idea collection and feasibility analysis to development, transfer, and follow-up.

Thanks to this comprehensive strategy, IDIVAL makes a decisive contribution to strengthening Cantabria’s healthcare innovation ecosystem, promoting solutions that improve clinical practice and directly benefit patients.

A Strategic Commitment to Quality and Innovation
The renewal of these certifications not only demonstrates compliance with regulatory requirements but also highlights IDIVAL’s firm commitment to integrating quality, innovation, and continuous improvement as strategic pillars of its activity.

This track record consolidates IDIVAL as a national benchmark in biomedical research and healthcare innovation, fostering an environment where science and technology translate into tangible benefits for society.

A team of researchers from the Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) and the University of Cantabria has developed a targeted nanomedicine capable of selectively delivering chemotherapy to tumors, avoiding toxic effects on healthy tissues. The study, which reports promising preclinical results, has been published in the prestigious journal Small.

The Nanomedicine Group at IDIVAL and the University of Cantabria has achieved a pioneering breakthrough in the treatment of malignant melanoma through the development of a highly precise therapeutic strategy based on silica nanoparticles. This innovative system allows the encapsulation and targeted delivery of anticancer drugs, releasing and activating them in a controlled manner within the tumor to prevent side effects.

The study, published in the international journal Small, was made possible thanks to patented technology developed by IDIVAL researchers for the encapsulation of nucleic acids in nanoparticles. It also involved the collaboration of the Nucleic Acid Chemistry Group at the Institute of Advanced Chemistry of Catalonia (IQAC-CSIC).

In this research, an oligonucleotide designed as an intelligent prodrug has been encapsulated, capable of releasing up to ten molecules of the potent chemotherapeutic agent 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) per oligonucleotide unit. This approach overcomes one of the main limitations of conventional 5-FU use: its rapid degradation in the body and the side effects associated with systemic administration.

Thanks to the coating of the nanoparticles with specific proteins, the researchers successfully directed them selectively toward the blood vessels feeding the tumor. Results obtained in mouse models of malignant melanoma are conclusive, achieving up to a 50% reduction in tumor size after just three intravenous treatments.

This work opens new possibilities for the development of more effective, personalized, and less toxic cancer therapies. The recent licensing of the silica encapsulation technology to Iridia Inc. for encrypted DNA-based analog data storage applications not only highlights its potential in this area but also underscores its versatility and disruptive nature in other fields.

The project has received financial support from the Instituto de Salud Carlos III through projects PI22/00030 and DTS24/00023.

IDIVAL has shown clear interest in exploring the biological applications of the patent and is actively seeking to establish a strategic partnership to advance the development of biomedical applications.

Reference:
Targeted Tumor Microenvironment Delivery of Floxuridine Prodrug via Soluble Silica Nanoparticles in Malignant Melanoma as a Model for Aggressive Cancer Treatment
A Ramos-Valle, A Domínguez, N Navarro, A Márquez López, A Avino, R Eritja, C Fabrega, L García-Hevia, ML Fanarraga
Small, DOI: 10.1002/smll.202407752

Link to the article: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/smll.202407752

Image caption: Nanomedicine Laboratory at IDIVAL

Cantabria’s Most Important Healthcare Event Will Take Place on June 10–11 at Espacio Comillas, Universidad de Comillas

On June 10 and 11, 2025, Universidad de Comillas will become the epicenter of healthcare debate and innovation in Cantabria with the celebration of the 15th Patient Safety and Quality Conference, which this year will be held alongside the 1st Regional Health Congress.

The event, organized by the Regional Ministry of Health and the Cantabrian Health Service through the Sub-Directorate for Care, Training, and Continuity of Care, will bring together healthcare professionals from all fields in a forum designed to share knowledge, highlight best practices, and create synergies that contribute to the continuous improvement of the healthcare system.

A Space for Innovation, Dialogue, and Leadership

Espacio Comillas, an emblematic and modern venue, will host this event designed to foster a participatory environment in which essential topics will be addressed, such as innovation in care and healthcare processes, patient safety, regional healthcare leadership, and digital transformation in healthcare.

In addition, professionals are encouraged to take an active role by submitting oral communications and poster presentations, which will have their own dedicated space within the program. Key dates for submitting contributions are now open:

• May 5: Deadline for abstract submissions.

• June 4: Deadline for submitting posters and graphic presentations.

Clear, Strategic Goals

The Conference and Congress will focus on four major objectives:

• Foster innovation and the exchange of healthcare experiences.

• Promote safe and high-quality clinical practices.

• Position Cantabria as a regional healthcare benchmark.

• Drive digital transformation and health and social care coordination.

The organizers anticipate a strong turnout and aim to make this event a key meeting point for the region’s healthcare sector.

Free Transportation for Attendees

To facilitate attendance, free shuttle buses will be available from Cantabria’s main hospitals:

• Hospital de Laredo

• Hospital General Sierrallana-Tres Mares

• Hospital Universitario Marqués de Valdecilla

Seats are limited and must be booked through the registration section.

All information regarding registration, abstract submission, and logistics is available on the official congress website: https://www.scsalud.es/i-congreso-regional-de-salud

See you in Comillas!

The Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and the IDIVAL Health Research Institute are advancing in the multicenter clinical trial CASSANDRA, which evaluates in humans the experimental drug IDP-121, a direct cMyc inhibitor — a key protein involved in the development of most cancers.

This phase I/II study is aimed at patients with Multiple Myeloma, high-grade Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia, with the goal of determining the safety, tolerability, and preliminary clinical activity of this compound.

The trial is coordinated by Dr. Enrique M. Ocio, Head of the Hematology Department at HUMV and leader of the Hematology and Hemotherapy Group at IDIVAL. To date, seven patients have been enrolled in the dose-escalation phase, with no significant toxicities reported. Despite the low doses administered, a certain antitumor effect has been observed in some patients, achieving disease stabilization.

In parallel, complementary biological studies are being conducted at Valdecilla, coordinated by Dr. Santiago Montes, aiming to identify the mechanisms responsible for IDP-121’s activity and to better understand its molecular impact on these types of malignancies.

The CASSANDRA trial is being carried out in collaboration with four other Spanish hospitals: Vall d’Hebron Hospital (Barcelona), 12 de Octubre University Hospital (Madrid), University Hospital of Salamanca, and Virgen de la Arrixaca Clinical Hospital (Murcia).

This study represents a search for new therapeutic alternatives in hematologic oncology, particularly in diseases with limited options after multiple lines of treatment.

More information about the IDP-121-001 (CASSANDRA) clinical trial is available at clinicaltrials.gov (Identifier: NCT05908409).