On November 21, the city of Terrassa welcomed more than 250 professionals from research, innovation, and business to the III TECNIO Congress, held at LaFACT | Factoria Social. This flagship event has become an essential forum for advancing knowledge transfer and fostering the growth of Catalonia’s innovation ecosystem. The Congress brought together a diverse range of participants, including universities, research institutions, spin-offs, and leading companies, reinforcing its role as a crucial hub for strategic collaborations that drive the country’s business competitiveness. A highlight of the event was the 25th anniversary of Xarxa IT, a testament to the region’s dedication to research and technological development. Participants also engaged in expert roundtables and witnessed the success of the TRS Brokerage, organized by the Terrassa City Council, which facilitated impactful connections between companies and technology providers. Institutional support for innovation The presence of key political figures, including Miquel Sàmper Rodríguez and Alícia Romero Llano, underscored the Generalitat de Catalunya’s commitment to fostering an innovative environment. This institutional backing strengthens the role of knowledge transfer as a key driver of Catalonia’s position as a leader in European innovation. The event featured significant contributions from figures such as Daniel Crespo, rector of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya; Josep Antoni Planell, ex-rector of the UOC and founding member of Xarxa IT; and Jordi Aguasca, Director of Innovation and Technological Transformation at ACCIÓ. Representatives from renowned organizations, including Leitat, CEBIOTEX, Integra Therapeutics, and JOLT ENERGY, also enriched the discussions. The III TECNIO Congress not only provided a platform for sharing insights but also paved the way for transformative projects and reinforced Catalonia’s reputation as a European leader in research and innovation. At CREB, we are proud to contribute to these efforts and remain committed to advancing knowledge transfer and supporting the competitive growth of our innovation […]
Xartec Salut concluded the 10th od october a week dedicated to health technologies with the celebration of its two major events of the year: the HealthTech2030 summit and the Innovation Challenge competition for young students and professionals. These initiatives, part of the network’s valorization and transfer program, have been made possible with the support of the Center for Research in Biomedical Engineering (CREB) – UPC, the Agència de Gestió d’Ajuts Universitaris i de Recerca (AGAUR), as well as leading companies and organizations in the sector that have provided sponsorship and collaboration: Werfen, Arvor, Farside, Almirall, Better Care, the Sant Pau Research Institute, and the Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau. Both events brought together sector leaders, academics, professionals, and students with the goal of fostering collaboration and creativity to develop innovative solutions in the healthcare field. HealthTech2030: Talent as the engine of the future On October 10th, the highly anticipated HealthTech2030 took place at Casa Rius in Barcelona. The event focused on talent as a pillar of the future of health and technology. Key topics discussed throughout the day included emerging professions in the sector, the role of women entrepreneurs in the healthtech ecosystem, formats and processes for creating innovations that can reach the market, and the impact of artificial intelligence on mental health. The attendees included representatives from government and academic institutions who supported the initiative and the advancement of innovation in the healthcare sector. Laia Arnal, Director General of Knowledge Transfer and the Knowledge Society in the Department of Research and Universities (GENCAT), thanked the organizers and attendees for their involvement in promoting initiatives that help create synergies between the public and private sectors to drive the development of technological solutions that improve healthcare. Also present at the event was Jordi Llorca Piqué, Vice-Rector for Research at the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) adn Alexandre Perera, Director at CREB-UPC and Xartec Salut. One of the most notable round tables […]
Xartec Salut is gearing up to host two of the most anticipated events in the health technology sector: HealthTech2030 and the Innovation Challenge. These events aim to foster collaboration, creativity, and the development of cutting-edge solutions that will shape the future of healthcare. These two events promise to be a catalyst for new ideas, partnerships, and strategies that will push the boundaries of the HealthTech ecosystem. The HealthTech2030 On October 10th, HealthTech2030 will take place at Casa Rius in Barcelona. This visionary summit is a hub for industry leaders, academics, political figures, and investors to come together and explore the cutting-edge technologies that will revolutionize healthcare by 2030. Organized by Xartec Salut, with the support of CREB, HealthTech2030 offers a unique opportunity to generate new ideas, projects, and trends. The 2024 edition will focus on the critical issue of TALENT in healthcare and technology, discussing how future professions will evolve to meet the growing needs of the sector. This year’s event promises to be an exceptional gathering of minds, where participants will explore upcoming healthcare challenges and collaborate on innovative solutions with a special focus on cultivating new talent. Attendees will have the chance to engage in roundtable discussions, hear from inspiring keynote speakers, and network with key players in the industry. The full agenda is available on the event’s official website, www.healthtech2030.com, and on Xartec Salut’s social media channels. Registration is now open here. The Open Innovation Challenge Alongside HealthTech2030, Xartec Salut will also host the Open Innovation Challenge, a 3-day event that will be a fantastic opportunity to team up and create innovative solutions for three real-world challenges presented by leading companies in the field. Focusing on developing technology and innovation in healthcare, this year we have challenges on rare diseases (Alexion), dermatology (Almirall), and medical data management […]
Mónica Rojas, a prominent researcher at the BIOART Research Group within the Biomedical Engineering Research Center (CREB) of the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), shares on an interview with CIT-UPC the significant strides in the field of neurorehabilitation that her group is getting on the project HybridNeuro. This project, funded by the European Union, aims to enhance capabilities in the field of motor rehabilitation and neuromuscular disorders. With the collaboration of renowned institutions such as Imperial College London and Chalmers University of Technology, HybridNeuro focuses on merging knowledge in electromyography (EMG) and electroencephalography (EEG) to develop new applications in rehabilitation, sports, and ergonomics. Mónica Rojas reveals the details of the HybridNeuro project, the technologies developed, and their potential impact on improving people’s quality of life. Additionally, she will address crucial topics regarding gender equality in science and technology, and strategies to attract more female talent to these fields. What is the HybridNeuro project, and what is its main objective? Who is involved? The HybridNeuro project is a Twinning action of the European Union aimed at enhancing the research capabilities of the University of Maribor (Slovenia) in motor rehabilitation and neuromuscular disorders, as well as in technology transfer and research exploitation. The project builds on the expertise of three leading institutions in neurorehabilitation within the EU: UPC (Spain), Imperial College London (UK), and Chalmers University of Technology (Sweden). These centers are widely recognized for their contributions to neural control extraction for voluntary movement control, whether from EMG signals (electromyography, analyzing muscle activity) or EEG signals (electroencephalography, measuring brain activity). The idea is to merge knowledge in these two areas—hence the name HybridNeuro—to enhance applications in motor rehabilitation, sports, ergonomics, and more. Additionally, the UPC Innovation and Technology Center (CIT UPC) is involved. What is BIOART working on for this specific […]
A research group from the Biomedical Engineering Research Centre (CREB) at UPC and the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD), has created EpiGe, a new web application that enhances the speed, accuracy, and cost-efficiency of analyzing and interpreting the molecular subtypes of medulloblastoma. This tool is pivotal for individualized treatment of this malignant brain tumor, predominantly affecting children and young adults. Understanding Medulloblastoma Medulloblastoma is a highly malignant brain tumor that represents approximately 20% of all brain tumors in children and young adults. Accurate classification of the molecular subgroups of medulloblastoma is essential for oncologists to develop the most appropriate treatment plans for each patient. Traditionally, these classification systems are costly and time-consuming, often taking several weeks to yield results, which limits their accessibility for many treatment centers worldwide. A New Clinical Decision Support Tool The multidisciplinary team, including experts from the Biomedical Engineering Research Centre (CREB) at UPC, IRSJD, and Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, has developed a clinical decision support tool designed for rapid, precise, and straightforward classification of the main molecular groups of medulloblastomas. Utilizing accessible technology, this tool aims to support centers globally in providing better care for pediatric brain tumor patients. To facilitate its application, the research group has developed an interactive web platform that enables automated analysis and interpretation of medulloblastoma types. The advancements achieved in this project have been swiftly translated into clinical practice, aiding in the individualization of patient therapy based on the genetic characteristics of the tumor, thereby offering more effective and less toxic targeted therapies. The Development of EpiGe EpiGe application was funded with support from patient family associations at Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, the Marató de TV3, and the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities. This initiative underscores the growing importance of molecular classification in medulloblastoma for […]
