Noticias

El HUN ha tratado ya al primer paciente de este estudio que evaluará una nueva terapia experimental dirigida contra la proteína MYC para frenar la progresión tumoral. 

El Servicio de Oncología Médica del Hospital Universitario de Navarra / Nafarroako Ospitale Unibertsitarioa (HUN/NOU) ha tratado al primer paciente de un ensayo clínico multicéntrico de fase Ib/II que evaluará una nueva estrategia terapéutica para pacientes con cáncer de pulmón microcítico (CMP), uno de los tumores más agresivos y con menos opciones de tratamiento cuando la enfermedad vuelve a aparecer. El ensayo, impulsado desde el HUN junto a Navarrabiomed e IdISNA y promovido por la empresa biotecnológica IDP Pharma, se desarrollará en al menos nueve centros hospitalarios de España y prevé reclutar en total a 60 pacientes durante los próximos meses. 

El estudio tendrá como objetivo evaluar el tratamiento farmacológico experimental IDP-121 que ha sido diseñado para actuar sobre la proteína MYC, considerada uno de los principales motores del crecimiento y la progresión tumoral en distintos tipos de cáncer, con especial relevancia en la resistencia a la quimioterapia en CMP, y se administrará en combinación con la quimioterapia utilizada habitualmente en el tratamiento de esta enfermedad. Este ensayo supone una oportunidad para trasladar avances de investigación biomédica a la práctica clínica asistencial, con el objetivo de que pacientes puedan obtener un beneficio directo. 
 

Un cáncer con importantes necesidades terapéuticas

El cáncer de pulmón de célula pequeña representa aproximadamente el 15% de todos los cánceres de pulmón. Aunque suele responder inicialmente al tratamiento, las recaídas son muy frecuentes y el pronóstico continúa siendo desfavorable, especialmente cuando la enfermedad progresa poco tiempo después de la terapia inicial. Ante esta situación, investigadores y clínicos buscan nuevas estrategias capaces de actuar sobre los mecanismos biológicos que favorecen la resistencia a los tratamientos y el avance de la enfermedad.

El estudio está liderado por el Dr. Hugo Arasanz Esteban, oncólogo médico del Hospital Universitario de Navarra e investigador en la Unidad de Oncología Médica Traslacional de Navarrabiomed, quien destaca la relevancia de participar en investigaciones que puedan ampliar las alternativas terapéuticas que existen en la actualidad. "Las personas con cáncer de pulmón de célula pequeña en recaída siguen teniendo opciones terapéuticas limitadas, especialmente cuando la enfermedad progresa poco después del tratamiento inicial. Este ensayo nos permite evaluar una aproximación innovadora dirigida contra MYC y explorar su potencial beneficio en un contexto clínico de gran necesidad”, señala el Dr. Arasanz. 

Nahiara Garmendia Antoñana, investigadora predoctoral de la  Unidad de Patogénesis Microbiana de Navarrabiomed, realizará la lectura de su tesis doctoral por la Universidad Pública de Navarra (UPNA) el viernes, 23 de octubre, a las 11:00h en el salón de actos de Navarrabiomed. El trabajo doctoral, que lleva por título “Mechanisms of adaptation of Staphylococcus aureus to the infection environment”, ha sido desarrollado en Navarrabiomed bajo la dirección de Iñigo Lasa Uzcudun, investigador principal de la Unidad de Patogénesis Microbiana de Navarrabiomed. 

El reto principal de esta tesis surge de la extraordinaria capacidad de adaptación de Staphylococcus aureus, uno de los patógenos bacterianos más exitosos y difíciles de erradicar debido a su resistencia a los antibióticos. Esta capacidad se basa en su gran plasticidad genética, impulsada por la transferencia genética horizontal (adquisición de genes de otras bacterias), y en complejas redes de regulación, como los sistemas de dos componentes (conocido como TCS, siglas de la denominación en inglés: Two-Component Systems), que actúan como la interfaz principal para percibir y responder a los estímulos del entorno. Ante la creciente escasez de opciones terapéuticas, el desafío consiste en comprender los mecanismos moleculares y evolutivos de esta adaptación para, paradójicamente, utilizar esas mismas vías en el desarrollo de terapias antimicrobianas de precisión.


Fases e hitos de la investigación 

El trabajo doctoral de Nahiara Garmendia ha abordado la biología de Staphylococcus aureus integrando la evolución de sus redes de percepción sensorial y el diseño de nuevas terapias genéticas. 

En los primeros capítulos de la tesis denominados, Evolución y adaptación, se expone cómo mediante ensayos de evolución experimental in vivo, se ha reconstruido cómo la bacteria integra funcionalmente sistemas regulatorios heterólogos (TCS) adquiridos de otras especies. La investigación ha demostrado que la principal barrera evolutiva es la compatibilidad del promotor genético; una vez superada esta barrera arquitectónica, basta una única mutación en la quinasa sensora para activar la vía de señalización. Además, se ha constatado que cuanta más complejidad y variedad de sensores naturales tiene la bacteria, más caminos distintos encuentra para mutar y adaptarse al estrés.

A continuación, en el tercer capítulo se detalla el control y la terapia. En la vertiente biotecnológica, se aplica ingeniería genética para diseñar islas cromosómicas inducibles por fagos (ePICIs) capaces de infectar a Staphylococcus aureus y administrar módulos CRISPR-Cas9 dirigidos contra regiones esenciales del cromosoma bacteriano cortándolo irreversiblemente. Estos elementos genéticos actúan como vectores no replicativos y son considerados como "caballos de Troya". En el modelo de infección in vivo (mastitis murina), estas ePICIs han demostrado una eficacia bactericida comparable a la de la vancomicina, superando incluso las diferencias de susceptibilidad que generaban los distintos tipos de biopelículas (biofilms) de la matriz extracelular in vitro.

Esta tesis establece un puente sólido entre la biología evolutiva bacteriana y la biotecnología traslacional. Por un lado, desvela los principios fundamentales que rigen cómo los patógenos integran nuevas redes regulatorias, lo que permite predecir y comprender mejor la diversificación evolutiva de las superbacterias. Por otro lado, valida las ePICIs diseñadas con CRISPR como una plataforma antimicrobiana no replicativa segura, versátil y con probada eficacia in vivo, proporcionando una estrategia innovadora y viable para combatir el grave problema clínico de las infecciones por Staphylococcus aureus multirresistente.


Difusión de resultados 

Parte de los resultados de esta investigación se han registrado y protegido como patente. Además, se han publicado en febrero de 2026 en la revista npj Biofilms and Microbiomes y se han presentado en varios congresos científicos: The New Microbiology (Spetses, Grecia 2025), Synthetic phage-inducible chromosomal islands efficiency depends on biofilm (Cardiff, Reino Unido 2025), Reunión del Grupo de microbiología molecular (Granada, 2022; Burgos, 2023 y Madrid, 2024). 

Nahiara Garmendia ha contado con financiación del Programa nacional de Formación de Personal investigador (FPI) del Ministerio de Ciencia, Innovación y Universidades para el desarrollo de su tesis doctoral. Además, ha desarrollado una estancia en la Universidad de St. Andrew's de Reino Unido. 

•    The Youth Centre hosted this science engagement activity aimed at raising awareness among future generations about scientific excellence.

On 25 and 26 November, Navarrabiomed held two forum theatre sessions at the Pamplona-Iruña Youth Centre with the aim of promoting awareness and understanding of gender-sensitive research, an approach that contributes to more excellent science and healthcare for the entire population. The event was chaired by Patricia Fanlo, Minister of the Department of University, Innovation and Digital Transformation, and brought together more than 250 students from secondary education, vocational training, and university programmes.

The initiative formed part of the activities organized by the research centre within the framework of the 2024 Science, Technology and Innovation Weeks. It was developed by Navarrabiomed in collaboration with the theatre company Psiare and ADItech, coordinator of the Navarre R&D&I System (SINAI). The project was funded by the Government of Navarre through the COSMOS 2024 Grants Programme for the Promotion of Scientific Culture, Dissemination of R&D&I Conducted in Navarre, and the Encouragement of STEM Vocations.

Minister Patricia Fanlo highlighted the importance of the initiative, which coincided with the commemoration of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women: “This forum theatre has successfully connected with young people by demonstrating the relevance and significance of incorporating a gender perspective in the health and biomedical fields. Our challenge and responsibility is to promote equality in health and science in order to build a fairer, more equitable and responsible society. We need to support initiatives like this that engage directly with young people, the future STEM professionals of tomorrow, empowering them to become agents of change in science and healthcare.”

Forum Theatre to Rethink Science

Forum theatre is a non-conventional performance format that addresses social and professional issues. It consists of a theatrical performance followed by an open discussion forum in which audience members, experts, and actors can intervene, propose alternative outcomes, and reshape the narrative. It is designed as an inclusive space for reflection and dialogue, encouraging critical thinking, engagement, and active participation, in this case around scientific issues.

The scenes performed were designed to inform and raise awareness about the importance of integrating a gender dimension into research to achieve scientific excellence. Additional objectives included:

•    Raising awareness of existing gender inequalities in health and research.
•    Exploring the different ways in which women and men experience illness.
•    Highlighting diseases and conditions that disproportionately affect women and have historically been overlooked.

Javier Gómez-Arrue, Director of Navarrabiomed, emphasized that: “All research, monitoring and evaluation data should be disaggregated by sex and gender so that research outcomes benefit women and men equally, ultimately improving healthcare for everyone. At Navarrabiomed, we are developing a cross-cutting research area focused on the gender dimension in order to promote excellent research that serves 100% of the population.”

The activity drew on scientific evidence to illustrate the existing sex and gender gap in health research. Participants learned how:
•    Approximately 80% of research in major health disciplines contains sex and gender bias.
•    Less than 10% of health-related publications specifically examine sex and gender.
•    More than one-third (37%) of genes are expressed differently depending on sex.
•    Many diseases present different clinical manifestations, symptoms, and signs in women and men.
•    Failing to consider these differences can lead to healthcare biases that primarily disadvantage women.
•    Women receive poorer diagnoses than men in at least 700 medical conditions.

The session held on 26 November concluded with remarks from Elena Antoñanzas, Director of the Service for Planning, Health Strategy and Research, who reaffirmed the Department of Health’s commitment to promoting equality in health and science as essential foundations for a fairer society. She also stressed that research incorporating a gender dimension is crucial to reducing the gender gap in women's healthcare.

The discussion and reflection will continue on social media through the hashtag #ScienceFor100Percent (#LaCienciaDel100).

• The event featured two invited external speakers: Jorge Larena and Juan Quizhpilema.

The Navarrabiomed team came together at the 2026 Internal Scientific Conference to learn about the strategic priorities established by the Institute’s management for the coming twelve months, as well as the most notable activities and new projects being developed by its research units and scientific-technical services.

Over the course of the two-day event, presentations were delivered by Principal Investigators Iñigo Les, Eduardo Albéniz, Maria Alsina, Maite Mendioroz, Nicolás Martínez-Velilla, and Ángel Alonso, as well as by the heads of the Scientific and Technical Services (STSs), José Arco and Natalia Ramírez. Time was also dedicated to discussing Navarrabiomed’s strategy for implementing gender-inclusive research practices, in a session led by Laura García, with the participation of Maitane Bermúdez from ADItech, coordinator of the SINAI network.

Guest Speakers

The session held on Monday, January 19, featured invited speaker Jorge Larena, a fundraising consultant for research centers, hospitals, and foundations, Professor at ICADE, and Director of Institutional Development at Comillas Pontifical University ICAI-ICADE. During his presentation, he provided an overview of the opportunities and challenges associated with non-competitive fundraising in the field of biomedical research, highlighting successful national and international case studies.

The invited speaker for the second day was Juan Quizhpilema, researcher and technician at NAIR Center. In his presentation, he shared the results of a study focused on the identification of neuroimaging biomarkers in Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) through a multimodal advanced magnetic resonance imaging approach.

The findings presented demonstrated the superiority of Diffusion Kurtosis Imaging (DKI) and parallel transport tractography over conventional methods for quantifying microstructural degeneration. To address the limitations associated with small sample sizes, the study proposes a Federated Learning architecture. This model uses validated biomarkers as feature selectors to train artificial intelligence algorithms across multicenter networks, enabling robust global clinical validation of findings while preserving patient data privacy.

The research project, managed by Navarrabiomed-Miguel Servet Foundation, is evaluating the use of immersive and interactive technologies to enhance communication and social relationships in this population.

A pioneering project in Navarre led by the Public University of Navarre (UPNA) and Primary Care professionals aims to improve the social and communication skills of children and adolescents with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) and intellectual disabilities. The research, managed by Navarrabiomed-Miguel Servet Foundation, is assessing the use of immersive and interactive technologies to support the development of these abilities in young people.

The project is led by Alcibíades Segundo Díaz Vera, a Primary Care physician with the Navarre Health Service at the Elizondo Health Centre and an associate clinical lecturer in the UPNA Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health. The study is being conducted by a multidisciplinary team bringing together experts in health sciences, psychology, engineering, and artificial intelligence from five different institutions.

At UPNA, in addition to the principal investigator, the research team includes Almudena Sánchez Villegas, Professor in the Department of Preventive Medicine and Public Health and Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences; Gonzalo Luis Alonso Salinas, cardiologist at the University Hospital of Navarre (HUN) and associate clinical lecturer in Cardiology; and Cédric Marco Detchart, lecturer in Artificial Intelligence and Computer Science at UPNA and researcher at the Institute of Smart Cities (ISC). The team also includes Leyre Adrián Arrieta, physician at the Navarre Health Service (SNS-O).

The project further benefits from the collaboration of Jaime Andrés Rincón Arango, Professor of Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence and member of the Applied Computational Intelligence Group (GICAP) at the University of Burgos, and Enrique Rodilla Sala, Associate Professor at CEU Cardenal Herrera University (Castellón campus). The technological development and adaptation of the digital tool used in the study are being carried out by the Jaume I University of Castellón through its Interactive Visualization Centre (CEVI) research group. The team includes Cristina Rebollo Santamaría, Assistant Professor; Anna Tonda Ramos, Associate Professor; and Inmaculada Remolar Quintana, Full Professor and Director of the CEVI group. All three researchers specialize in interactive technologies and their application in educational and healthcare settings.

Immersive Technologies Applied to Neurodevelopment

The REVIDITEA project is exploring the potential of an interactive application based on immersive and interactive technologies as a tool for training social and communication skills in children and adolescents with ASD and intellectual disabilities. The application has been developed in collaboration with the CEVI group at Jaume I University, and the study evaluating its effectiveness will be carried out in participating educational and healthcare centres.

According to Alcibíades Segundo Díaz, the project aims to “contribute to improving the quality of life and social inclusion of children and adolescents with ASD and intellectual disabilities through innovative, scalable, evidence-based tools, with the potential for future integration into educational and healthcare programmes.” The initiative also seeks to strengthen collaboration between the university, healthcare, and education sectors in Navarre, addressing real needs within the population and promoting the development of practical, research-based solutions.

•    The event brought together nearly 90 attendees interested in learning about the gut-brain axis and its influence on neurological health. 

The gut microbiota, the community of microorganisms that inhabits the intestine, was the central focus of the symposium “Microbiota and Disease: Connections Between the Gut, Brain and Metabolism”, recently held at Navarrabiomed as part of the Master’s Degree in Research and Innovation in Biotechnology at the Public University of Navarre (UPNA). The event showcased the latest research on the gut-brain connection and its potential influence on neurological health to an audience of nearly 90 participants, including students, healthcare professionals, and researchers.

The symposium, coordinated by UPNA Professor and Navarrabiomed researcher Iñigo Lasa, is part of the course “Trends in Biotechnology” and aims to strengthen students’ academic training by connecting education with current challenges, emerging trends in the sector, and the latest advances in research.

Guest Speakers

Jaione Valle Turrillas, a CSIC researcher at the Institute of Agrobiotechnology (IdAB-CSIC), opened the event with a presentation on communication between the microbiota and the central nervous system through the gut-brain axis, an interaction pathway currently being studied for its potential influence on processes related to neurological health. “The gut microbiota constitutes one of the densest and most complex microbial communities in the human body,” explained Jaione Valle. She highlighted that several studies have observed that alterations in this microbial community may influence the onset and progression of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.

During her presentation, Valle discussed several studies conducted by the Bacterial Communities and Disease Laboratory at IdAB-CSIC, focusing on how certain by-products generated by the gut microbiota may be involved in processes associated with the development of Parkinson’s disease.

The symposium program also included two additional presentations dedicated to other microbiota-disease connections. Rafael Valdés Mas, a Ramón y Cajal researcher at Cima Universidad de Navarra, addressed the interactions between the host organism, the microbiome, and diet in inflammatory bowel diseases. Fermín Milagro Yoldi, professor at the Nutrition Research Center of the University of Navarra, presented several research lines on probiotics and postbiotics with applications in metabolic diseases.

The event, chaired by Ana Ollo, Second Vice-President and Regional Minister for Memory and Coexistence, External Action and the Basque Language, brought together around one hundred professionals working in European projects.

The Second Vice-President and Regional Minister for Memory and Coexistence, External Action and the Basque Language, Ana Ollo, opened the 9th Meeting for European Project Managers and Promoters, which was attended by around one hundred professionals from across Navarra.
Representing Navarrabiomed-Miguel Servet Foundation were Daniel Villanueva and Mikel Rubio, International Project Managers; Beatriz Pérez, Head of Innovation; and Javier Gómez-Arrúe, Director of Navarrabiomed. Also attending were Elena Antoñanzas, Director of the Planning, Health Strategy and Research Service of the Navarra Department of Health; María Barrios, Head of the Research and Innovation Section within the same service; and Milagros Larráyoz, Director of Economic Management and General Services at Navarra University Hospital.

This year’s event focused on the Multiannual Financial Framework programmes available to Navarra through European Cohesion Policy. The meeting brought together representatives from the joint secretariats of several European programmes, including: Interreg POCTEFA (Pilar Maza), Interreg Atlantic (Ismael Morán), Interreg SUDOE (Juan Llanes), Interreg Europe (Jason Martínez), Interreg ESPON (Nicolas Rossignol), Interreg URBACT and the European Urban Initiative (Ana Díez). The event also featured Silvia Agrafojo, Head of the Social Knowledge Area at Zabala Innovation, who delivered a presentation on the integration of the gender dimension in European project proposals.

In addition to programme representatives, participants from Navarra´s organisations had the opportunity to share their practical experience in European projects. Among them Silvia Ojer, Director of the Navarra European Projects Office, presented the GRAAL project, funded through Interreg Atlantic. Mikel Rubio, from Navarrabiomed, presented PREDISC, funded under Interreg SUDOE. Pablo Lansac, from ANEL, described the JEUNESS project, funded by POCTEFA. Ekaitz García, from the Directorate-General for Energy and Digital Transition, Business R&D&I and Entrepreneurship, presented progress on the ZCI project under Interreg Europe. Ion Sola shared his experience participating in the ESPON IRIE European Territorial Cooperation Group.

PREDISC: an innovative model for disability prevention in older adults

Europe is moving towards an increasingly ageing society. Within this context, the SUDOE territory, particularly its rural areas, is experiencing some of the highest proportions of older adults alongside ongoing depopulation trends. Ageing is commonly associated with frailty and disability, which in turn are linked to increased healthcare resource utilization and hospital admissions.

The PreDisc project aims to prevent disability among older adults by promoting regular physical activity during and after periods of hospitalization. This is achieved through the prescription of a personalized exercise programme during hospitalization and its continuation after discharge, supported by Primary Care follow-up and facilitated through the development of an innovative eHealth tool.
The project also includes a multicentre clinical trial designed to generate scientific evidence and support the incorporation of these programmes into routine clinical practice.

In addition, PreDisc promotes a model of active ageing, particularly in rural areas, through the development of technological tools, training programmes for healthcare professionals, home visits and community events in rural settings.These actions are expected to help reduce unnecessary hospital admissions while improving access to healthcare services. The project's objective is to promote equitable access to healthcare by bringing services closer to rural communities and reducing the need for older adults to travel in order to receive care.

Navarra awards its first Public Procurement of Innovation contract worth €3.5 million.

Navarrabiomed-Miguel Servet Foundation has awarded a contract for the development of an innovative platform for the purification and production of small molecules in research environments under the INNOVA3PM project. The outcomes of this initiative will support research into new cancer immunotherapies, among many other studies, representing a strategic milestone for the Chartered Community of Navarra in advancing clinical research and personalized medicine within the public healthcare system.

The biomedical research centre has awarded the tender to the Fast Green Platform for Pharmaceutical Development consortium (UTE) for a total budget of €3.5 million (VAT included). The project is expected to be completed in 2028.

The award of this first pre-commercial public procurement project fulfills the primary objective of Public Procurement of Innovation (PPI), a mechanism that enables public administrations to stimulate innovation through demand-driven approaches by posing challenges for which market solutions do not yet exist.

This is the first initiative of its kind promoted in Navarra, reinforcing the region’s position as a national leader in innovation through the collaboration of the Government of Navarra, particularly the Departments of Health and University, Innovation and Digital Transformation.

INNOVA3PM was conceived in response to the shortage identified by Navarrabiomed of clinical-grade small molecules in sufficient quantities to continue its clinical research programmes, both within its Oncoimmunology Unit and other research groups. Following the discovery of the potential of oleuropein in cancer treatment, as reported in a study published in the British Journal of Cancer in 2024, the research centre proposed applying for support under the FID funding programme of the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, which Navarra accessed for the first time last year. As a result, the project was designed to achieve the purification of various small molecules, using oleuropein as the initial use case.

The project is structured into three phases:
1.    Solution Design Phase: Demonstrating the technical, financial, and commercial feasibility of the proposed solution.
2.    Prototyping Phase: Construction of the pilot platform and production of an initial technical batch for non-clinical evaluation.
3.    Validation Phase: Verification that the platform meets the requirements and standards established during the previous phases.

INNOVA3PM Project

The main objective of INNOVA3PM is to develop an optimized platform capable of purifying and producing small molecules of natural origin, starting with oleuropein, a compound found in olive leaves and fruit.
When combined with conventional immunotherapies in preclinical mouse studies, oleuropein has been shown to enhance clinical responses in animal models resistant to PD-1/PD-L1 checkpoint blockade immunotherapies. This could enable the development of more patient-directed immunotherapy strategies and improve treatment responses across different types of cancer.
Beyond oleuropein, the availability of a platform for the purification and production of small molecules opens new avenues for research, both for the development of additional therapeutic approaches and for the discovery of novel drugs.

The project has received €2 million in co-funding from the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities through the FID Programme, which promotes innovation through demand-driven procurement under the Spain Multi-Regional Programme 2021-2027 and the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF). The Government of Navarra is also contributing to the project through a combined investment of €3 million, distributed as follows: €2 million from the Department of Health and €1 million from the Department of University, Innovation and Digital Transformation. Through INNOVA3PM, Navarra is taking a significant step forward in strengthening its biomedical research capabilities, fostering innovation in drug development, and advancing personalized medicine through public-sector driven innovation.

During the first quarter of 2026, Navarrabiomed welcomed a total of 175 university and vocational training students. The students participated in six organized visits, during which they learned about career opportunities in biomedical research aligned with their educational backgrounds, as well as the research facilities and laboratories available at Navarrabiomed.

The vocational training students came from a variety of programs, including:
•    Assisted Livestock Farming and Animal Health at the Integrated Agroforestry Centre.
•    Pathological Anatomy and Cytodiagnosis at the María Inmaculada Integrated Centre of Pamplona.
•    Manufacturing of Pharmaceutical, Biotechnological and Related Products at the Donapea Integrated Polytechnic Centre.
•    Clinical and Biomedical Laboratory Sciences at the Navarra Health Technical and Vocational School (ESTNA).

In addition, visits were organized for university students from both of Navarra’s higher education institutions, the Public University of Navarre (UPNA), specifically for students enrolled in the Biotechnology degree program and the University of Navarra, for students studying Biochemistry and Biology.
These visits provided participants with first-hand insight into the biomedical research environment, helping them explore potential career paths in research while gaining exposure to cutting-edge scientific facilities and ongoing research activities at Navarrabiomed.