The conference included presentation of the European infrastructure for translational medicine, EATRIS, which enables fast and personalised access to state-of-the-art technologies, bringing them closer to patients

On May 3, the Biodonostia HRI headquarters hosted a meeting of the members of EATRIS Spain, with the participation of 15 of its accredited health research institutes, among them Osakidetza’s Biodonostia HRI, the aggregate value of which is the creation of knowledge in the field of health research. This knowledge comes from the first-hand clinical experience in outstanding hospitals, which constitute the perfect environment for the expedition of biomedical knowledge to clinical practice and, therefore, to the patient (and vice versa). The conference included the presentation of EATRIS, the European infrastructure for translational medicine, which enables fast and personalised access to state-of-the-art technologies, bringing them closer to patients. The Spanish node of EATRIS falls beneath the umbrella and coordination of the Carlos III National Health Institute (ISCIII), as mandatory official representative of Spain in EATRIS, and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) as scientific leader. This initiative allows the use at European level of large scientific infrastructures, as well as the connecting of research groups with common questions, bringing the companies (and their questions) closer to the research groups (who can help with the answers). Translational research is the kind that focusses on patient benefit. One example of this would be the study of a molecule in the laboratory and which in its progression ends up becoming a medicine for treatment of the disease being studied. One important challenge in the development of innovations in this kind of research is understanding what steps must be taken and what experience and technologies are adequate for taking these steps. Hence the presentation of EATRIS at this conference, with the objective that the interested Institutes may participate in this European infrastructure, and in the clinical, biological and technological experience available within it, in benefit of translational research. In order to discuss these questions, the conference had the participation of speakers of extensive background and prestige in relevant bodies, such as Dr Raquel Yotti (Director of the Carlos III Health Institute, ISCII); Dr Antoni Andreu (Scientific Director of EATRIS), Dr Joan Comella (Director of the VHIR and Scientific Coordinator of EATRIS-Spain); and Anton Ussi (Director of Operations and Finances at EATRIS).