On 19 September 2025, José Moisés Martín Carretero, Director of the Centro para el Desarrollo Tecnológico y la Innovación (CDTI), visited several TECNIO agents in Barcelona, including the Early Drug Discovery Unit (EDDU) of the University of Barcelona. The visit showcased the Catalan model of technology transfer and its impact on innovation and collaboration between research and industry.

During the session at UB-EDDU, the team presented its work in preclinical drug development and its extensive experience in translating biomedical research into therapeutic innovation. Mr. Martín learned about the unit’s collaborations with pharmaceutical companies and its contribution to the creation of successful spin-offs.

Among the spin-offs presented during the visit were:

• Oniria Therapeutics, focused on the development of innovative cancer therapies.
• PALO BIOFARMA, specialized in the discovery of small-molecule therapeutics.
• Inke, a biotechnology company advancing novel pharmaceutical technologies.

These examples demonstrate the effectiveness of the TECNIO model in turning academic research into market-oriented innovation and social impact.

Mr. Martín emphasized “the outstanding scientific capacity of Catalonia” and “the excellence of the TECNIO transfer model”, describing it as an inspiring framework that could be adapted in other regions.

Alongside UB-EDDU, the visit also included CITCEA-UPC and the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), highlighting the diversity and strength of the TECNIO network. Together, these centers represent a robust ecosystem that connects scientific excellence with technological innovation and industrial competitiveness.

The visit reaffirmed UB-EDDU’s commitment to advancing biomedical innovation through collaborative research and to strengthening the link between academia and industry as part of the broader TECNIO initiative.