IDIVAL, the Cantabrian Health Service and Gilead Sciences strengthen their collaboration to promote early diagnosis of blood-borne infections in Cantabria

The Marqués de Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL), the Cantabrian Health Service (SCS), and Gilead Sciences S.L.U. have formalised a new collaboration agreement aimed at strengthening research, training, and health promotion in the field of viral hepatitis diagnosis in Cantabria. The agreement is framed within Project FOCUS, an international initiative focused on improving screening and linkage to care for viral hepatitis.

The agreement will make it possible to consolidate and expand actions already underway in healthcare centres across the Autonomous Community, with the aim of promoting early diagnosis and optimising healthcare delivery.

A strategic boost to public health

This agreement represents a step forward in consolidating systematic screening strategies to support the early detection of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, reinforcing public health policies and aligning with international objectives for the control and elimination of these infections, as well as with the Strategy for the Elimination of Hepatitis C in Cantabria.

It includes two main areas of intervention:

1. Reactivation of hepatitis C screening in Emergency Departments
   • Implementation of screening for people over 18 years of age in the Emergency Department of the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital (HUMV) and other hospital centres in Cantabria.
   • An estimated 50,000 serological determinations are expected to be carried out annually.
2. Hepatitis screening in patients with suspected sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
   • Automated activation of hepatitis testing when studies are requested for suspected sexually transmitted infections.
   • An estimated 13,000–15,000 tests per year for suspected syphilis and an additional 5,000–6,000 tests in swab-based studies.

All analyses will be carried out at the Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital, under the scientific and operational coordination of IDIVAL.

A shared commitment to innovation and health

Through this agreement, the three organisations reaffirm their commitment to improving public health, fostering innovation in clinical practice, and developing sustainable screening models that contribute to progress towards eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health threat.

The project is strictly non-commercial in nature and will be developed in full compliance with current ethical, legal, and data protection regulations.