VHIR redefines its innovation strategy while waiting to host 'startups' in its facilities

The Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) redefines its innovation model. Although it may seem like a word more related to the business world, hospitals and research institutes have also had to make it their own in order to make all the trials and publications developed by their professionals more effective. Basically because a scientist may know a lot about test tubes, but does not necessarily have to know how to make a profit and loss statement or look for investors. "We are a knowledge factory and we have to make it reach society," summarizes its Director of Innovation and Development, Rafael Navajo.

At a time of expansion after opening a new headquarters, the VHIR has decided to change the mechanisms it has been using for years to facilitate the translation of what is discovered in the laboratory into drugs and therapies that can be used by patients. After having tested existing innovation models in other centers, from the United States or Nordic countries, as most centers do, the Barcelona institute has chosen to define its own that better suits its reality and thus be able to accompany its scientists more efficiently.

Since last year, they have been working on identifying the needs and resources demanded by their researchers to concretize them in a guide of action that aims to be easier, objective and proactive, in addition to anticipating problems that may arise. To do this, the VHIR innovation unit has determined three phases in the process of accompanying those projects that they choose according to their market potential and maturity. Once incorporated into their portfolio, they are patented and the search for the best business model begins, along with initial market tests. Throughout this, the researcher remains engrossed in their trials and publications.

If it passes the first phase, having verified its technical, economic, regulatory, and market viability, the business structure is developed, with an eye on its future commercialization. Here there are different paths, from the constitution of a spin-off or derivative company to transferring the technology or closing licensing agreements with third companies.

Until now, VHIR's portfolio consists of a total of 23 spin-offs, of which 18 remain active, two were sold, and three closed. These companies have generated more than 70 jobs, raised 90 million euros, and are valued at 500 million euros. The list includes companies such as Mimark, focused on early and accurate detection of endometrial cancer; Bsure Medical, which has created a biomarker for predicting adverse reactions in breast implants; Endolipid Therapeutics, which has developed new treatments for fatty liver disease; and Adan Medical Innovation, focused on the increasing number of patients suffering from allergic reactions.

Among the institute's great successes are Mosaic Biomedicals and Modis Therapeutics. The first biotechnology company was promoted by doctors Joan Seoane and Judit Anido. Focused on the development of innovative and personalized cancer treatments, it merged with the Canadian Northern Biologicals in 2016. The second was the result of the discovery by Dr. Ramon Martí (VHIR) and Michio Hirano (Columbia University) for a mitochondrial disease. In 2019, Zogenix, a leading American pharmaceutical company in the development of innovative therapies for rare diseases, acquired Modis Therapeutics for 250 million euros.

Grifols, Roche, Genesis Biomed, Orion Pharma, Onalabs or Inkemia are some of the companies with which VHIR has closed agreements

The VHIR's spin-offs are among those that obtain the most resources within the Catalan health sector, with more than 32 million euros between 2020 and 2024, only behind the 68 million of IRB Barcelona, according to Biocat. The Vall d'Hebron center is also in the top positions in terms of commercialization income, with 1.5 million euros for the 2020-2023 period, surpassed by the CRG and the ICN2.

Future space for startups

The new VHIR headquarters is located on the grounds of the old hospital laundry. Offices, laboratories and scientific infrastructures such as a cyclotron are fitted into the newly opened building, which has involved an investment of more than 60 million euros. The space has capacity for 600 researchers and serves the institute's 2,000 workers. It is one of the first pieces to be unlocked from the healthcare complex, immersed in an expansion and modernization process, with a global budget of 300 million euros for works that are expected to be completed by 2030.

Until now, VHIR researchers were distributed between the Mediterrània and Collserola buildings of the Vall d'Hebron Campus, separated from each other and with only 4,600 meters for the institute's staff. With the new headquarters, the area reaches almost 17,000 square meters, which implies a 300% growth in the surface area dedicated to research within the university hospital's facilities. In addition, the space for laboratories is doubled, with more than 5,500 square meters. The bulk of VHIR researchers will be installed in this space, but some groups, with up to 200 researchers, will remain in the Collserola building, behind the new center.

In a future development phase, the new VHIR headquarters will host an innovation hub, where spin-offs, biotech and pharmaceutical corporations, and investors are intended to be installed under one roof, a model that is expanding throughout the city after success stories such as the Pier buildings of Tech Barcelona or the Barcelona Health Hub. It will be in the same building, in an area yet to be built, with more than 2,200 square meters. The institute is working on defining what it will be like, with the forecast of having the project finished this year and having completed the works by the end of 2026.