Biohope Receives an Honorary Plaque from the Spanish Association of Scientists in Recognition of Its Work in Developing Precision Medicine Diagnostic Tools
Biohope Receives an Honorary Plaque from the Spanish Association of Scientists in Recognition of Its Work in Developing Precision Medicine Diagnostic Tools Madrid, November 25th, 2024. The Spanish Association of Scientists held the XXVI Edition of the 2024 Honorary Plaques Awards on Thursday, November 21st, where Biohope was named the winner in the "Entities and Companies" category. Dr. Enrique de la Rosa, scientific researcher at the Margarita Salas Center for Biological Research (CIB-CSIC) and First Vice President of the Spanish Association of Scientists, presented the Honorary Plaque to Dr. Isabel Portero, CEO and founder of Biohope. The award recognizes the company’s mission to develop precision medicine diagnostic tools that enable a unique understanding of each patient and personalized therapy for their condition. Each year, the Spanish Association of Scientists awards Honorary Plaques to distinguished researchers in the “Outstanding Scientists” category. Additionally, companies that excel in scientific-technological research and innovation, as well as individuals, foundations, and organizations dedicated to science communication and dissemination in Spain, are also honored. In this XXVI Edition, other awardees in the “Scientists” category included Dr. Guillermo Monrós, Professor in the Department of Organic and Inorganic Chemistry at Universitat Jaume I de Castelló; Dr. Luis Blanco, Research Professor at the Severo Ochoa [...]
Spanish biotech Biohope develops a first in class device to personalize the first line of treatment for rheumatoid arthritis
The Community of Madrid grants the company, which received the Seal of Excellence of the European Innovation Council's Accelerator program, a grant of two million euros to carry out the project The economic burden of rheumatoid arthritis in Europe is estimated at 45billion euros Madrid, 6th November 2024. Rheumatoid arthritis is a chronic inflammatory disease that affects around 300,000 people in Spain.[1] The disease impacts their quality of life while also shortening their life expectancy. In terms of direct and indirect costs, the economic burden is estimated to be 45 billion[2] euros in Europe. While methotrexate (MTX) is a first-line treatment it is ineffective in half of the patients. The problem so far has been to identify those patients that would not benefit from the treatment. To address this issue the Spanish biotechnology company Biohope is developing the first pharmacological in vitro diagnostic (IVD) test to predict this clinical response. The team behind the launch of this precision medicine tool, MTX-CELL test, has just received a grant of two million euros from the community of Madrid to execute the project. This special grant is awarded to companies that, like Biohope, have obtained the Seal of Excellence within the framework of the European Innovation Council's Accelerator [...]
Biohope is awarded for its innovation by the European Investment Bank (EIB)
At the ‘EIB AdVenture Debt Summit’, Biohope received one of the ‘Innovation Champion Awards’ from the European Investment Bank (EIB) for its development of innovative projects in the field of precision medicine. Isabel Portero, CEO and founder of Biohope, received the award in Luxembourg. "It is a great satisfaction to receive this recognition among leading companies from all sectors; they are the future of Europe, a future in which we will also be a part," she stated. "This encourages us to maintain our commitment to R&D in the field of biotechnology, to develop innovative products for the benefit of patients." Isabel Portero accepted the award during the ‘EIB AdVenture Debt and Advisory Summit’, at the European Convention Center in Luxembourg. The conference brought together CEOs and CFOs of companies from the EIB portfolio, as well as executives from venture capital and debt funds, leading advisors in the field of innovation and capital and growth, representatives of the European Commission, the EIB, and the media. The event focused on market trends, investment needs, and challenges for innovative companies. It is an opportunity to connect policymakers, business leaders, and experts. The innovative personalized medicine projects for patients with autoimmune diseases and transplants received funding from the EIB [...]
Biohope Shines at SET2024 Congress in Bilbao
Following the recent Congress of the Spanish Society of Transplantation (SET) in Bilbao, the organization has published the latest edition of SETnews. This issue summarizes the scientific sessions of the 8th SET Congress 2024, highlighting a key session on Saturday, May 11th dedicated to "Measuring Non-Adherence to Immunosuppressive Treatment and New Predictive Options." A notable presentation during this session was on the Immunobiogram (IMBG), a product developed by Biohope. Titled "Evaluation of Pharmacodynamic Response to Immunosuppressive Therapy in Transplant: IMBG, Evidence, and Applications," it was delivered by Dr. Julio Pascual, Medical Director at the University Hospital 12 de Octubre. The roundtable discussion was moderated by renowned experts in the field: Dr. Manuel Muro Amador, Head of Immunology Service at H.C.U. Virgen Arrixaca (Murcia), and Dr. Marta Crespo Barrio, Head of Renal Transplant Section at Hospital del Mar (Barcelona). The SETnews bulletin concludes with a powerful statement on the potential impact of the Immunobiogram: "The Immunobiogram could revolutionize this field by enabling the personalization of immunosuppressive treatment, with data already showing the relationship between pre-transplant sensitivity to each drug and the development of inflammation and/or rejection." You can see the complete bulletin in this link (only available in Spanish).
Biohope Welcomes Nuria de Pedro as R&D Director
Biohope is delighted to announce the appointment of Nuria de Pedro, PhD, as the new Research and Development (R&D) Director. With 25 years of extensive experience in the pharmaceutical and biotech industries, she brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to our dynamic team. Nuria holds a Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from Autonoma University of Madrid. Her remarkable journey in the field of life sciences began with a significant tenure in international pharmaceutical companies, including nine years at MSD and seven years at Medina. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a remarkable commitment to advancing scientific research and innovation. With a robust background in R&D, Nuria has led teams specializing in the design, development, and implementation of novel assays, with a particular focus on automation and miniaturization processes. Notably, she has contributed to numerous scientific papers, presented at international symposiums, and holds several patents in oncology and neurodegeneration diseases. Nuria's leadership extends beyond the laboratory, as she has actively participated in national and international projects, including those focused on hepatotoxicity and cardiotoxicity. She has also served as a mentor and co-tutor for university students pursuing advanced degrees in medicine and biotechnology. In her previous role as Chief Scientific Officer and Chief Laboratory Officer [...]
Pilar Najarro joins Biohope as Managing Director
Biohope is thrilled to announce the latest addition to our dynamic team. Dr. Pilar Najarro, a distinguished professional with a rich background in Health and Biotech, has joined us as Managing Director. Pilar's journey in the field of Biotechnology began with a Ph.D. in Cell Biology at the State University of New York, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at the prestigious Imperial College of London. Her passion for advancing scientific research led her to contribute significantly to various renowned biotech companies and ventures, including Arrow Therapeutics, Biolty, DIGNA Biotech, Life Length, and Arquimea Medical. With a career spanning several countries and roles, Pilar has held key positions as Chief Operating Officer (COO) and Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) in her recent roles. Her wealth of cross-functional experience encompasses Research, Development, Clinical Trials, Regulatory Science, and Business Development. Pilar has proven her ability to lead successful projects in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Spain. Known for her exceptional relationship-building skills, Pilar has established strong connections with internal and external experts in the realms of science and medicine. Her leadership and managerial acumen have been pivotal in driving successful outcomes, and her track record speaks volumes about her dedication and contribution to the field. One of [...]
Isabel Portero presents Immunobiogram for Renal Transplant at the 3rd edition of “Future of Transplantation meeting” organized by AST in Boston
Our CEO, Isabel Portero, took stage at the 3rd edition of the "Future of Transplantation Meeting" organized by the American Society of Transplantation (AST) in Boston, where she presented the groundbreaking Immunobiogram for Renal Transplant. Dedicated to fostering collaboration among industry leaders, clinicians, academia, and regulatory bodies, the AST's Future of Transplantation Meeting this year explores the theme of "Lost in Translation: Reciprocal Collaboration to Advance Transplant Medicine." This edition strives to broaden perspectives on areas critical for progress in transplant medicine and enhanced patient experiences, emphasizing the importance of cross-functional communication and information sharing. The event serves as a dynamic platform for scientists, academics, clinicians, industry partners, and regulatory representatives to engage in interactive panel discussions, building on shared interests to advance and elevate transplant medicine. Participation in this exclusive gathering is by invitation only, reflecting the honor bestowed upon our CEO for her involvement in this prestigious event.
Results from IMBITRA clinical study have been presented at the 53rd SEN Congress 2023
Results from IMBITRA study of Immunobiogram in renal transplant patients in maintenance phase have been presented at the 53rd SEN Congress 2023, which took place in Palma de Mallorca on November 11th - 13th. IMBITRA study described the sensitivity profile to individual immunosuppressants measured in vitro with Immunobiogram in two groups of patients: patients with a graft rejection and patients with opportunistic infections (BK virus and CMV). 74 patients from 9 Spanish sites were included, 43 with rejection and 31 with opportunistic infections. The clinical event had occurred in the last 2 years in both groups. The study has shown that Immunobiogram measures the patient's pharmacodynamic response in vitro to individual immunosuppressive drugs. Patients with rejection tended to show lower sensitivity to the IMS they were taking prior to the event, while patients with opportunistic infections presented a tendency to show higher sensitivity to the prescribed IMS.