28 september 2005
Newspaper: Diario de Navarra

326 people from 17 countries work in the centre, of the 350 initially forecast

The Centro de Investigación Aplicada (CIMA) of the Universidad de Navarra is celebrating its first anniversary. During this time the research carried out has generated 18 patents.
The Centre reports that three patents have been granted for Spain and (as the case may be) other countries such as Germany, Denmark, France, the United Kingdom, Holland, Sweden, Russia, China, Australia and Mexico. The patents are for interferon alpha 5 (for viral problems in the liver), inhibiting peptides of the TGF Beta 1 growth factor (for a chronic skin disease) and cardiotrophine (for liver diseases). Among the patents applied for is one, anphirreguline, which protects the liver during acute hepatic failure.

326 people

The CIMA has a workforce of 326 people from 17 countries researching in four areas: neurosciences, genetic therapy, oncology and cardiovascular sciences.

The researchers have published over one hundred articles in international scientific journals and have intensified their participation in the 6th European Framework Programme with 6 new projects and two Marie Curie scholarships. Funding has also been obtained from US companies, inclduing the one owned by Michael J. Fox.

During this year, CIMA has undergone a series of audits by international specialists on the quality of its research. In oncology, for example, work is being done on a vaccine to control lymphomas (blood cancer) and the design of trials that provide early detection of lung cancer. Work is also being done on the origin of the loss of memory in Alzheimer's disease and on treatments for Parkinson's using adult stem cells, the identification of substances in the blood that help to diagnose persons who are prone to heart attacks, and the development of vaccines to combat liver disorders.