The Marqués de Valdecilla Health Research Institute Foundation (IDIVAL) joined the European Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) in 2016 and obtained the “HR Excellence in Research” award in October 2018.

This quality recognition is a key criterion for the renewal of accreditation as a Health Research Institute by the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), and it is an essential requirement for participation in calls under the Horizon Europe program. Therefore, maintaining this award is vital for IDIVAL, both for accessing European funding and for consolidating its position as a center of research excellence.

In this context, IDIVAL has carried out a review and update of its HRS4R Action Plan as part of the process to renew the award, aligning with recent strategic changes at both the national and European levels, including the entry into force of the new European Charter for Researchers. This update is based on the internal evaluation conducted in March 2024, three years after the intermediate assessment report approved in March 2021, and within the framework of continuous improvement of the HRS4R Strategy.

Key Achievements

1. Ethical and Professional Aspects

IDIVAL continues to strengthen its commitment to ethics and good research practices. In this regard, the 2022–2026 Strategic Plan has been consolidated, together with the Cooperative Scientific Plan, clearly defining the institute’s research priorities. Freedom of research is fully guaranteed within the existing legal and structural framework, under the supervision of the External Scientific Committee, and with the support of the Internal Scientific Committee.
Strategic Plan

The institution has reinforced its documentation in this area, providing a publicly accessible Good Research Practices Guide, an updated Biosafety Manual, Internal Regulations, and Project Management Instructions.
Internal Guidelines

Training in project management and funding, a key area for research staff, has been intensified, and internal communication has been improved through a weekly newsletter featuring relevant calls and updates. IDIVAL has also demonstrated a strong capacity to adapt to current legal frameworks, including the Science, Technology and Innovation Law of Cantabria (2022). In terms of employment, noteworthy progress includes the implementation of measures aimed at stabilizing research personnel.

2. Recruitment

Regarding recruitment and hiring, IDIVAL has made progress in applying the OTM-R principles (Open, Transparent, and Merit-Based Recruitment), with an updated OTM-R Policy regularly published on its website. A Code of Good Hiring Practices has been developed to establish clear and consistent criteria for both researchers and research support staff.
HRS4R Documentation

Job offers are systematically disseminated through the institutional website and the Euraxess platform, ensuring wide visibility and accessibility. Major improvements have been made in the transparency of selection processes, including more detailed evaluation criteria and the publication of final scores. The professional profiles of research staff are also publicly available on the IDIVAL Research Portal, contributing to greater visibility and recognition of researchers’ career paths.
Employment Portal
Euraxess Offers

3. Working Conditions

The institute has implemented several initiatives aimed at improving the work environment and professional development of research staff. These include programs such as research intensification grants, internationalization support, specific training for residents, and senior talent attraction initiatives—all focused on building strong and sustainable research careers.
Funding Portal

Since 2019, biosafety training has been permanently included in the official training catalog. In addition, access to appropriate infrastructure and necessary resources has been ensured through regulated allocation criteria.

A research portal provides access to key information about the various research groups and individual researchers.
Research Portal

Scientific collaboration has also been a central theme during this period, promoting active participation in research networks and European projects, and offering targeted training to enhance international outreach.

4. Training and Career Development

Continuous development of internal talent has been a priority for IDIVAL. In this regard, the role of supervisor has been formalized, supported by specific training to improve mentoring processes under the leadership of the Scientific Directorate and Area Heads. In parallel, regular “Progress Reports” sessions have been introduced for early-career researchers, allowing ongoing evaluation of project progress and promoting scientific improvement through dialogue with group leaders.
Progress Reports

The institute’s training plan has been consolidated as a key development tool, offering a comprehensive and systematic approach that spans from technical and scientific support to the strengthening of transversal skills.
Training Offer

As evidenced, the progress made since the 2021 interim evaluation reflects sustained and consistent improvement in the key areas of the HRS4R Strategy: ethics and professionalism, recruitment, working conditions, and training and development. The recent update of the Action Plan has reinforced this approach through a more operational planning aligned with new regulatory and strategic frameworks at both national and European levels.

Nurses Nuria Sánchez and Paula Calvo, from the Clinical Trials Unit of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV/IDIVAL), have participated in an international study conducted within the framework of a clinical trial led by the Hematology Department. The results have just been published, providing the nursing staff’s perspective on a new drug delivery device for patients with multiple myeloma.

The study, titled “Subcutaneous Administration of Isatuximab in Patients With Multiple Myeloma by an OnBody Delivery System: Results of a Nurse Survey”, gathers the experience of nursing professionals from Spain, France, Germany, and Australia in the use of the OnBody Delivery System (OBDS) — a device that allows the subcutaneous administration of Isatuximab, improving patient comfort and reducing the workload for healthcare professionals.

According to the results, the surveyed professionals highlighted advantages such as ease of learning, time savings, the absence of visible needles, and the possibility of home administration compared to conventional intravenous or syringe-based subcutaneous routes. They also positively evaluated patients’ experiences, who reported good tolerance and satisfaction with the procedure.

This study originated as an initiative by Sanofi, the sponsor of one of the clinical trials conducted by the Valdecilla Clinical Trials Unit, who invited their nurses to collaborate in the design of the questionnaire and the subsequent publication of the results.

“It has been a great opportunity for us to take part in this study, contributing the perspective of nursing professionals in a key process to improve patient experience in hematology clinical trials,” explain Nuria Sánchez and Paula Calvo.

This work stands as an example of how collaboration between clinical trial nursing staff and the pharmaceutical industry can help optimize treatments and humanize care in oncohematology.

Link to the article: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2025.1547108/full

Photo: Nuria Sánchez and Paula Calvo.

The donation is the result of the 15th edition of their solidarity event held in Los Corrales de Buelna, which brought together thousands of people in support of biomedical research in Cantabria.

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) received a €20,000 donation from the ‘Luchamos por la Vida’ Association, aimed at supporting a research project on aggressive breast cancer led by the Melatonin and Breast Cancer Research Group, headed by Virginia Álvarez and Carlos Sainz.

The donation ceremony took place at IDIVAL’s headquarters, with the participation of Galo Peralta, IDIVAL’s Managing Director; Ricardo Martínez, President of the ‘Luchamos por la Vida’ Association; Virginia Álvarez, lead researcher of the project; and José Pedro Vaqué, researcher in the Melatonin and Breast Cancer Group at IDIVAL.

This donation is the result of the 15th edition of the ‘Luchamos por la Vida’ event, held on April 27th in Los Corrales de Buelna. Although the attempt to break the Guinness World Record for the largest human pink ribbon fell short by a narrow margin, the event achieved historic community mobilization and raised funds that are entirely allocated to this research project.

The study focuses on particularly aggressive breast tumors, such as triple-negative and HER2+ types, seeking to understand how these cancer cells develop resistance to treatments like chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Specifically, the IDIVAL team is investigating the role of a key protein, PKCϴ, in the DNA repair mechanisms that allow tumor cells to survive therapy-induced damage. Progress in this line of research could open new therapeutic avenues and improve the prognosis for patients affected by these types of cancer.

At IDIVAL, we would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to the ‘Luchamos por la Vida’ Association, to all participants, and to everyone who made this collective act of solidarity possible. Collaborations like this reinforce Cantabrian society’s shared commitment to health research and to advancing new treatments that improve people’s lives.

Cover photo: From left to right: José Pedro Vaqué, Ricardo Martínez, Virginia Álvarez, and Galo Peralta.
Inside photo: From left to right: Ricardo Martínez and Galo Peralta.

The Board of Trustees of the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute Foundation (IDIVAL) has approved its annual accounts for the 2024 financial year, confirming the institution’s financial stability and soundness.

The meeting, held at the Government Pavilion of the University of Cantabria, also provided an opportunity to review a year marked by continuous growth in scientific output, the acquisition of competitive research projects, and the development of strategic initiatives in biomedical research and smart health data management in Cantabria.

During the session, the joint report by IDIVAL’s Scientific Director, Marcos López Hoyos, and Managing Director, Galo Peralta, was presented. The report highlighted the increase in research activity and the regional impact of the institute, as well as outlining priority action lines for the coming years.

Among the items addressed, the Board of Trustees authorized the signing of contracts linked to the VALDATA project: Cantabria Towards a Health Data Economy, a strategic initiative that will position the region as a benchmark in this field and reinforces IDIVAL’s commitment to innovation and the improvement of the healthcare system. The Board also approved the expansion of the External Scientific Committee with the addition of researcher Mara Dierssen, and the amendment of the Internal Regulations to adapt the composition of the Internal Council in line with the new accreditation guidelines for Health Research Institutes, recently approved by the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

IDIVAL’s Board of Trustees is chaired by the Regional Minister of Health, César Pascual, and includes institutional representation from the Cantabrian Health Service, the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, the University of Cantabria, and professionals from the healthcare and academic sectors.

With the approval of these accounts and the roadmap set for the future, IDIVAL continues to advance its mission of promoting biomedical research and transferring its results into clinical practice, contributing to scientific progress and the well-being of the Cantabrian community.

Further information: https://www.idival.org/organos-de-gobierno/

Photo: University of Cantabria

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) has allocated €465,000 this year to support the activity of the 30 research groups that make up the institute. This amount represents a significant increase compared to previous calls and is part of the Support program, which provides backing for the development of activities by IDIVAL’s research groups. The program is one of the main pillars of the 2025 regional Biosanitary Research Promotion Programs Call.

The aim of this program is to acknowledge and enhance the scientific production of IDIVAL-affiliated groups by providing funding based on the results and research activity achieved throughout the year. The funds awarded help cover the groups’ operational expenses and the hiring of personnel to support the development of projects.

The allocation of these grants is determined by various activity indicators, including:

• Indexed scientific publications

• External funding obtained and managed through IDIVAL

• Patent development

• Supervision of doctoral theses

IDIVAL, accredited by the Carlos III Health Institute, promotes and develops research and innovation in the biosanitary field of Cantabria, with the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital as its main hub.

Each year, IDIVAL launches various support programs and competitive calls to fund research groups and drive the development of research and innovation projects by healthcare professionals within Cantabria’s public health system. In 2025, the total investment in these programs will exceed €2 million — a record figure that reflects the institution’s firm commitment to strengthening research capacity and health innovation in the region.

Since its launch in 2014, the Support program has allocated over €3.9 million to fund the activity of IDIVAL’s research groups. This support not only recognizes the achievements attained but also makes it possible to consolidate research lines, attract talent, and enhance the national and international presence of biosanitary research in Cantabria.

IDIVAL’s research groups are the driving force behind biomedical scientific output in the region, actively contributing to the advancement of knowledge and the development of innovative solutions to improve population health.

See the funding resolution and the allocation awarded to each group here: Resolution

The Clinical and Translational Research Group in Digestive Diseases at the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) has just published an article in the Revista Española de Enfermedades Digestivas, reviewing and updating current knowledge on the calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) and its role in the bidirectional communication between the central nervous system and the gastrointestinal tract, known as the gut-brain axis.

A neuropeptide is a small molecule that acts as a chemical messenger between neurons and other cells, modulating functions such as pain, digestion, or stress response. In this study, CGRP emerges as a key player, with a versatile, chameleon-like behavior, in the communication between the gut and the brain.

The work, led by first author Marta Pascual Mato, was carried out in collaboration with the Headache and Other Non-Degenerative Neurological Diseases Research Group, offering a comprehensive perspective on the effects of the two isoforms of this neuropeptide, particularly beta-CGRP, on intestinal homeostasis and the pathophysiology of digestive disorders.

In recent years, both groups have demonstrated that beta-CGRP plays a protective role in the intestinal mucosa, modulating processes such as gastrointestinal motility, local immune response, and neurogenic inflammation. Previous studies had already shown that the release of beta-CGRP explains diarrhea in COVID-19 patients, that in the early stages of inflammatory bowel diseases (Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis) there is a decrease in this isoform — suggesting its protective effect — and that a reduction in beta-CGRP accounts for constipation in migraine patients treated with anti-CGRP monoclonal antibodies.

This new article not only reviews these findings but also explores the translational potential of monitoring CGRP levels in various comorbid digestive and neurological diseases, such as irritable bowel syndrome, chronic migraine, or functional constipation.

Read the full article: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) in the pathophysiology of gastrointestinal disorders – A key mediator in the gut-brain axis. DOI: 10.17235/reed.2025.11310/2025

Caption: The research team responsible for the article, made up of researchers from the Clinical and Translational Research Group in Digestive Diseases and the Headache and Other Non-Degenerative Neurological Diseases Research Group.

During the Regional Health Congress held in Comillas (Cantabria), two projects developed within the framework of the Joint Action PreventNCD were presented, focusing on health equity and approaches to tackling smoking.

As part of Work Package 7 (WP7), professionals from the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) presented the study “Retrospective analysis of clinical and demographic variables recorded in the Altamira Electronic Health Record to assess aspects related to inequity in access to tobacco and alcohol cessation programs.” This analysis aims to identify inequalities in access to cessation programs among vulnerable groups such as older adults, migrants, and people with mental health problems. Preliminary results indicate signs of inequality, particularly affecting the migrant population.

Additionally, within Work Package 10 (WP10), the pilot project “Group-based tobacco and nicotine cessation in Primary Care” was presented. This initiative, managed by professionals from the Regional Ministry of Health and IDIVAL, was designed based on a survey of healthcare professionals regarding their consumption habits and attitudes towards smoking. The program is being implemented in 15 basic health areas, with 104 participants, and includes group sessions led by trained healthcare professionals, promoting motivation, mutual support, and ongoing follow-up. As part of this strategy, two accredited workshops were also delivered, training 40 professionals.

Cover photo: Part of the JA PreventNCD team in Cantabria, responsible for presenting the pilot project “Group-based tobacco and nicotine cessation in Primary Care.”

Inside photo: Part of the JA PreventNCD team in Cantabria, responsible for presenting the study “Retrospective analysis of clinical and demographic variables recorded in the Altamira Electronic Health Record to assess aspects related to inequity in access to tobacco and alcohol cessation programs.”

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) has joined this European initiative through its Medical Oncology and Hematologic Neoplasms and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant teams, following their participation in the previous eCAN Joint Action.

The new eCAN Plus Joint Action, officially launched this month in Brussels, aims to improve cancer prevention and care across Europe through digital transformation. This project, co-funded by the European Union’s EU4Health programme, brings together 81 organisations from 23 countries and will run until 2029.

IDIVAL is contributing to this European initiative through its Medical Oncology team, in collaboration with professionals from the Hematologic Neoplasms and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplant group, strengthening its commitment to international projects in digital oncology transformation. The institute also brings valuable experience from its involvement in the predecessor initiative, eCAN (2022–2024), which laid the groundwork for addressing challenges in health data interoperability and security in cancer care.

A key priority of eCAN Plus is to reduce inequalities in cancer care across European countries by promoting equitable access to telemedicine tools, remote patient monitoring systems, and digital clinical decision support solutions. The project is structured around nine Work Packages covering areas such as digital skills training for healthcare professionals, the development of regulatory frameworks, and strategies for the long-term sustainability of these digital solutions.

The joint effort of the participating European centres will also help prepare healthcare systems for the future implementation of the European Health Data Space (EHDS) — one of the European Union’s flagship initiatives to improve access, quality, and security in health data sharing. In this context, IDIVAL’s involvement reinforces its position as a leading institution in Cantabria for European projects focused on digitalisation and care improvement in oncology.

More information: https://ecanja.eu/

On 24 June 2025, the Regional Minister of Health of the Government of Cantabria, César Pascual, presented the Award for International Trajectory in the Protection of the Right to Health to Professor Rafael Yuste Rojas, recognised as a ‘figure of international research relevance’. This award, promoted by the Regional Ministry of Health through the Health Law and Bioethics Research Group of the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), recognises scientific excellence and commitment to the protection of the right to health at a global level.

The ceremony took place within the framework of the 18th Inter-autonomic Meeting on the Legal Protection of Patients, held at the Menéndez Pelayo International University (UIMP) in Santander. The event was attended by the Rector of the UIMP, Carlos Andradas, and the Director of Management of IDIVAL, Galo Peralta, together with the Minister César Pascual.

This award, which in previous editions has recognised outstanding researchers such as Dr Manuel Elkin Patarroyo (2018), Dr Valentín Fuster (2019), Dr María Blasco (2023) and Dr Ángel Carracero (2024), once again highlights top-level scientific work with a marked ethical and social commitment.

Professor Rafael Yuste is Professor of Neurobiology and Professor of Neuroscience at Columbia University, where he directs a leading centre in neurotechnology. His career combines cutting-edge research, ethical innovation and a strong defence of human rights. He is notably involved in the BRAIN project, one of the most important scientific initiatives of the 21st century, promoted by the White House to map human brain activity with unprecedented resolution.

Beyond his scientific impact, Professor Yuste has been a pioneer in warning about the risks that new technologies can pose to freedom, privacy and human identity. He is the creator of the concept of ‘neuro-rights’, an emerging category of fundamental rights that seeks to protect the mental and cerebral integrity of individuals from technologies capable not only of reading thoughts, but also of influencing them.

He has promoted the NeuroRights Foundation and coordinated the Morning Sight group, which brings together experts in neuroscience, law and ethics, successfully bringing his proposals to international bodies such as the United Nations and national parliaments. His work includes the book The Brain, the Theatre of the World, in which he invites us to understand the brain not just as an organ, but as the stage on which consciousness, memory and the capacity to be unfold.

Photo caption: from left to right Galo Peralta, Rafael Yuste, César Pascual and Carlos Andradas.

Researcher María Muñoz San Martín, from the Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), has been awarded the Cajal Award in the Neurology category in the first edition of these recognitions, promoted by Merck and the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM) through its Chair of Innovation in Science and Health.

The award ceremony took place on June 13th at the headquarters of the Royal National Academy of Medicine. These awards, endowed with €25,000 for each category, aim to support disruptive projects in the fields of Oncology and Neurology and represent a strong commitment to young talent in biomedical research.

The project led by María Muñoz focuses on multiple sclerosis and builds on findings obtained during her doctoral and postdoctoral work, in which she identified an overexpressed microRNA in patients with this disease and in experimental models. The awarded initiative proposes to investigate the targeted manipulation of specific genes in microglial cells of the central nervous system, with the aim of limiting demyelination and promoting remyelination, thereby opening new therapeutic avenues for neurorepair.

“For me, this award represents not only financial support but also recognition of a line of research we have been pursuing for years. Thanks to this opportunity, I will be able to implement new experimental models in Cantabria and continue exploring therapeutic strategies for neurological diseases,” the researcher states.

María Muñoz holds a degree in Biotechnology from the University of León and a Master’s in Applied Microbiology from the Autonomous University of Barcelona. She completed her doctoral thesis at the Biomedical Research Institute of Girona and has been a recipient of a prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie fellowship in Ireland. Since January 2024, she has been a member of the IDIVAL Research Group on Headaches and Other Non-Degenerative Neurological Diseases, where she is also involved in studying the role of astrocytes in migraines through a project funded by IDIVAL’s NEXT-VAL program.

Photo caption: María Muñoz, right, receiving the commemorative plaque.