The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) held the forum “Advancing in Research,” a meeting aimed at patient associations that made it possible to share the main biomedical research projects being developed in Cantabria and to strengthen collaboration between scientists, healthcare professionals, and civil society. The event also served to present the progress of Cohorte Cantabria, one of the most significant scientific initiatives in the field of personalized medicine.
The meeting featured the participation of Galo Peralta, IDIVAL’s Managing Director; Marcos López Hoyos, the institute’s Scientific Director; and Javier Crespo, Scientific Director of Cohorte Cantabria. They highlighted the institute’s role as a driving force for biomedical research in the region and emphasized the need to move toward a more participatory and inclusive model.
Research support structure
During the opening session, Galo Peralta stressed that IDIVAL acts as a support structure for research carried out mainly at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, noting that research activity not only drives scientific progress but also helps improve the quality of care and offers direct opportunities to patients through clinical trials and new treatments.
For his part, Marcos López Hoyos presented the institute’s structure and strategic lines, which include more than 900 professionals distributed across 29 research groups and five major scientific areas. He also highlighted IDIVAL’s position within the national health research system and its ability to compete in national and international projects.
Regarding Cohorte Cantabria, Javier Crespo explained that it is a project based on the longitudinal follow‑up of more than 50,000 people between the ages of 40 and 69, with the goal of better understanding the factors that influence the onset of diseases. The initiative integrates clinical, genetic, social, and environmental data to advance toward more precise medicine capable of anticipating disease and personalizing treatments.
Patients as key players in research
The forum included representatives from various patient associations in Cantabria, who shared their main concerns and needs in areas such as rare diseases, long COVID, chronic pain, and obesity. During the meeting, they emphasized the importance of promoting research, improving access to information, and increasing the visibility of their conditions.
The associations agreed on the need to strengthen collaboration with research centers and to advance the development of biomarkers, new treatments, and a deeper understanding of complex and chronic diseases. This exchange allowed IDIVAL to gather concrete demands and identify new research opportunities.
Patient participation in the scientific council
One of the main announcements of the event was the inclusion of representatives from patient associations in IDIVAL’s internal scientific council. This initiative, presented by Marcos López Hoyos, represents a decisive step toward a more participatory research model in which the voice of patients helps guide scientific priorities.
The first proposed representative will be Lourdes Álvarez, president of the Lupus Association of Cantabria, who will act as a liaison between the council and the associations. Her role will make it possible to convey proposals, concerns, and needs, incorporating the patient perspective into decision‑making, always within a framework of confidentiality.
Cohorte Cantabria ambassadors
During his presentation, Javier Crespo also announced the creation of a Cohorte Cantabria ambassador program, a network of volunteers who will receive specific training in health and research to act as outreach agents and connectors with society.
This program aims to strengthen citizen participation, improve understanding of scientific projects, and facilitate peer support among patients. The ambassadors will play a key role in sharing information and building trust around biomedical research.
