R&D&I networks are supports provided by the Government of Catalonia to develop programmes for the valorisation and transfer of results from research. The networks are aimed at fostering cooperation between research groups at different institutions. They must have a minimum of five research groups from at least three different institutions. The coordinating entity leads the work and handles financing. Companies, business associations and other entities of particular importance in the production sector can also join the networks, which organise training, events of different kinds, prizes and consulting services, among other activities.
At the last call for proposals, IDIBAPS was involved in five networks, three of which were finally successful. They are: Xartec, led by the Polytechnic University of Catalonia; and Tecsam and i4kids, both coordinated by the Sant Joan de Déu Foundation.
The purpose of Xartec is to foster the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation in the field of health technologies. The network seeks to promote exchanges of knowledge and the creation of companies, and to provide more effective tools for technology transfer. Xartec is formed by 81 research groups from 23 institutions. Josep Roca, a researcher in the Physiopathological mechanisms of respiratory illnesses group, and Ricard Valero from the Cerebrovascular diseases group, lead the IDIBAPS contribution the networks’ activities.
The Tecsam network, which focuses on innovation in mental health, is formed by 49 groups from 24 institutions. The kick-off meeting for the second edition took place on January 16, aimed at enabling the generation of synergies and collaboration between the groups. Eduard Vieta, leader of the Bipolar and depressive disorders group, and Miquel Bernardo, head of the Schizophrenia group, represent IDIBAPS in this network.
i4kids is a paediatric innovation network that aims to bring together stakeholders in the paediatric value chain and to identify and support innovation projects in the field of paediatrics and maternity with outstanding potential to generate changes in society and in the care of infants. The network is composed of 64 institutions. IDIBAPS is represented by Josep Roca Torrent, a researcher in the Physiopathological mechanisms of respiratory diseases group, Laia Rodriguez-Revenga of the Translational research in new therapeutic and diagnostic strategies in liver diseases group, and Xavier Altafaj of the Neurophysiology group.
For further information about the networks and their activities, contact the IDIBAPS Knowledge and Technology Transfer Office (KTT: ktt@idibaps.org)
