The FERO Foundation and the Hospital Clínic Barcelona-IDIBAPS have signed a collaboration agreement to promote cancer research and provide sustained structural support for the future Clínic Comprehensive Cancer Center, starting with backing for the Molecular Diagnostics Programme currently run by the Catalan centre. By way of this new partnership, the FERO Foundation will initially contribute €200,000 and it is committed to continue supporting the Campus Clínic in the coming years.
“We believe it is essential to provide ongoing support for leading national centres in order to make progress in cancer research. One of FERO’s commitments is the creation of programmes and new lines of research that lead to the development of more innovative and effective treatments for cancer patients. That is why, thanks to this collaboration agreement, we hope to be able to help a highly prestigious centre such as the Hospital Clínic Barcelona-IDIBAPS at this time when they are creating their “Cancer Center”, says Silvia Garriga, president of the FERO Foundation, who added that it is hoped that this contribution can be used for the development of research independently of other competitive grants.
“I am very grateful for FERO's support for our project. It is essential to be able to count on them, and I am sure that this will allow us to promote research and innovation of excellence in cancer and position ourselves as a leading international centre", says Dr. Aleix Prat, director of the Institute of Cancer and Blood Diseases at the Clínic, head of the IDIBAPS group, and full professor at the University of Barcelona.
Multidisciplinary approach to cancer care
The Campus Clínic is noted for its excellence in cancer care, research, teaching and innovation. With a multidisciplinary approach, our aim is to provide comprehensive coverage through the entire disease process: from prevention to diagnosis, to treatment, follow-up and cure or palliative care.
The main strategic lines of the Cancer Institute focus on improving the continuum of care for cancer patients and promoting clinical and translational research for precision oncology. In keeping with one of the main lines of the hospital’s strategic plan, the Institute also aims to bring cancer care closer to the community through collaboration with hospitals located along the C-17 corridor. In addition, the incorporation of both in-house and external innovation is considered a fundamental pillar for offering patients the latest advances in treatments and diagnostic tools.
This comprehensive and collaborative vision reinforces the Campus Clínic’s commitment to leadership in the field of oncology, improving both the quality of life of patients and clinical outcomes through a person-centred approach based on the latest scientific evidence.
Commitment to excellence in research
This collaboration agreement joins those already in place between the FERO Foundation and the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO) in Barcelona, for the funding of multiple initiatives such as the Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Programme (DIAMAV), with the INCLIVA Health Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico in Valencia, to study selection mechanisms for patients in cancer trials, and with the Foundation for Biomedical Research at the 12 de Octubre University Hospital (i+12 Foundation) for the creation of a translational research unit for prostate cancer.
Thus, the FERO Foundation continues to grow in Spain with the aim of supporting translational research of excellence throughout the country and supporting equal access to treatment for all patients. Moreover, this new partnership strengthens the FERO Foundation’s commitment to institutions, which bring together cancer research, treatment, education and prevention, with high standards in both their programmes and services.
“Cutting-edge cancer research and the application of the advances achieved in the treatment of this disease are just one of the pillars that must underpin the activity of a leading centre. We cannot forget the importance of preventive work, as well as education and training for both health professionals and the community in general, in addition to encouraging community participation”, explains Rubén Ventura, director of the Foundation, who emphasizes his organization’s commitment to centres with this comprehensive approach for their significant contribution to the fight against cancer.
