2025/10/30

CIC bioGUNE and CIMA Universidad de Navarra drive advanced therapies and personalized medicine in Euskadi and Navarra

The strategic agreement between CIC bioGUNE and CIMA Universidad de Navarra will boost biomedical innovation in northern Spain, combining expertise in gene editing, viral vectors, and clinical development to deliver more precise and personalized treatments.

CIC bioGUNE, member of BRTA, and CIMA Universidad de Navarra (Center for Applied Medical Research) have signed a strategic collaboration agreement to advance research and innovation in advanced therapies, strengthening personalized medicine in Euskadi and Navarra. This partnership combines expertise in gene editing, AAV viral vectors, and clinical and translational development, accelerating the creation of precise, effective, and individualized treatments for patients.

Advanced therapies, including gene therapy, cell therapy, and regenerative medicine, represent cutting-edge approaches to treat diseases that currently lack effective solutions, such as certain genetic disorders and degenerative conditions. By joining forces, CIC bioGUNE and CIMA Universidad de Navarra aim to transform scientific knowledge into new therapeutic opportunities, improving patient outcomes and opening the door to innovative clinical solutions.

The collaboration leverages complementary strengths: CIC bioGUNE contributes its expertise in gene editing and molecular target identification, while CIMA Universidad de Navarra provides advanced capabilities in viral vector development, preclinical models of disease and clinical translation. This synergy will accelerate high-impact joint research projects, drive the development of novel therapies, and bring advanced treatments closer to clinical application.

The agreement also prioritizes the development of specialized talent, training of professionals in advanced therapies, and promotion of knowledge transfer between basic research and clinical application. Additionally, it will enhance patent generation, international consortium participation, and the global visibility of the biomedical ecosystem in northern Spain.

Aligned with regional smart specialization strategies (RIS3), which highlight life sciences and healthcare innovation as strategic sectors, this partnership strengthens Euskadi and Navarra as key hubs for biomedicine and biotechnology. The collaboration ensures that cutting-edge research in the Basque Country and Navarra translates into real-world therapeutic and clinical solutions, advancing personalized medicine for the benefit of society.

This strategic alliance underscores the importance of interregional and multidisciplinary cooperation in modern biomedicine. By combining scientific and clinical expertise, CIC bioGUNE and CIMA Universidad de Navarra reaffirm their commitment to innovative, effective, and safe therapies that respond to the healthcare needs of patients and strengthen the future of biomedical innovation in Spain.

About CIC bioGUNE
The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organisation conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA
BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 13 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Leartiker, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker y Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of 3,500 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.

Spanish version