Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research

A view of the main entrance of the IIBA at night in Vida Science Park.

The Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research (Alexandrian: Institut de recherche biomédicale avancée; Martino: Instituto de Investigación Biomédica Avanzada; Wechua: Hampi Yachay Wasi, IIBA) is a national biomedical research institute in Nouvelle Alexandrie, dedicated to the discovery, development, and translation of advanced medical therapies. It is located in the Vida Science Park in Cárdenas, and integrates basic medical research, clinical studies, and biomedical engineering to address major health challenges. It works in cooperation with the centers of the National Health Institute in the science park and is a national centre for translational medicine. It employs more than 1,900 researchers, including over 300 postgraduates from the University of Cárdenas, which makes it one of the largest employers in Vida Science Park.

History

The IIBA was founded in 1696 AN under the auspices of the Department of Research and Development to centralize high-priority biomedical research in a single facility. Before its creation, medical research in Nouvelle Alexandrie was scattered among universities, hospital laboratories, and small private facilities. The establishment of the IIBA was intended to consolidate talent, infrastructure, and funding for national-scale biomedical research. Its main advocate was Dr. Amelia Vázquez de la Torre, a prominent Santander-born bioscientist.

The choice of Vida Science Park allowed close collaboration with the University of Cárdenas, the National Health Institute, the nearby National Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics, and other life-science institutes. Its first decade was marked by major investments in imaging technology, high-containment pathogen laboratories, and clinical trial facilities.

In 1730 AN, the IIBA was formally designated a National Centre of Excellence and, under the National Health Plan, received over NAX€3.4 billion in new investment. The funding paid for a new research complex, including a specialized regenerative therapies wing and a high-containment infectious disease unit, along with upgraded computing facilities for bioinformatics and AI-assisted diagnostics. The expansion increased the institute's clinical trial capacity and broadened its international research partnerships.

Research

The IIBA's research covers the full spectrum of biomedical science, with a focus on translation from laboratory to clinic. Key research domains include:

• Regenerative medicine & Tissue engineering
• Immunology & Infectious Disease
• Precision Oncology
• Neuroregeneration
• Biomedical Technology & Diagnostics

Much of the institute's work is carried out through sub-programs of the Frontera Program's Evolvar life-sciences division. Its regenerative-medicine and bioprinting groups contribute to Impresión Biomédica; its immunology and infectious-disease groups take part in Escudo Guardián, the national vaccine and antimicrobial-resistance effort; and its oncology and diagnostics teams support Código Azul, the personalized-medicine program.

The IIBA houses a Phase I–III clinical trials unit and the National Biobank for Clinical Trials, moving discoveries rapidly into safe, regulated testing pipelines. It collaborates with academic institutions, including the University of Cárdenas, as well as pharmaceutical companies, biotech startups, and international health organizations, to accelerate technology transfer.

Major Projects over the years

• Proyecto ImmunoEscudo - developed a broad-spectrum immunomodulator used in autoimmune disease management. Completed in 1702 AN.
• Proyecto Kawsariy - partial regeneration of cardiac tissue using autologous stem cells in human patients. Completed in 1715 AN.
• Proyecto NeuroPuente - implantable bioelectronic bridge enabling partial recovery of movement in spinal cord injury cases. Completed in 1721 AN.
• Proyecto OncoDirigido - AI-guided targeting of chemotherapy to reduce toxic side effects, tested in clinical trials. Completed in 1730 AN.
• Proyecto NanoAlerta - nanoparticle-based biosensor for early sepsis detection in critical care units. Ongoing as of 1738 AN.

Layout

The IIBA occupies a 30-hectare campus in the southeastern section of Vida Science Park, adjacent to the CNBB. The campus comprises one main office, five specialized wings, and two satellite buildings, connected by pedestrian paths, skybridges, and underground service corridors, with a central green space called the 'Plaza de la Innovación Médica'.

1. The Central Office acts as the main administrative headquarters, with administrative offices, boardrooms, a public reception hall, and a central auditorium for conferences and symposia.
2. The Translational Medicine Facility is the core research hub, dedicated to laboratory research and clinical trials. It contains a dedicated pre-clinical trials unit, simulation suites, and an ethics office.
3. The Regenerative Therapies Wing is a specialized wing dedicated to regenerative medicine, stem cell research, and tissue engineering. Its facilities include a bioprinting lab and biofabrication pilot labs.
4. The Infectious Disease & Biosecurity Wing is a high-containment research wing for pathogen study, epidemiological research, and vaccine development. Its facilities include a BSL-4 containment unit.
5. The Neurosciences Wing is a specialized wing dedicated to neurological research and technology, with advanced fMRI and PET suites.
6. The Bioinformatics Wing processes large-scale biomedical datasets and predictive models, and houses an advanced supercomputer with AI-assisted diagnostic tools.
7. The Clinical Trial Centre is a specialized building for managing multi-phase clinical trials in coordination with hospitals across Nouvelle Alexandrie, with advanced monitoring units and treatment wards.
8. The National Biomedical Library is a combined library and data repository, with both physical and digital access to a large collection of biomedical literature and data.

Organization

The IIBA is overseen by a Director-General, appointed by the Federal Science & Research Council and the Department of Research and Development. It is further structured into six main research divisions, two service departments, and one executive office.

• Director-General
  • Chief Operating Officer
    • Department of Administration & Finance
    • Department of Facilities & Laboratory Operations
  • Deputy Director of Research & Strategy
    • Regenerative Medicine Division
    • Immunology Division
    • Genetics & Oncology Division
    • Neuroscience Division
    • Biomedical Technology Division
    • Division of Translational Research Coordination

Support departments manage finance, HR, technical services, IT infrastructure, and public relations. The IIBA also operates three advisory boards composed of national and international experts:

1. Bioethics Advisory Council
2. Scientific Advisory Council
3. Translational Research Advisory Council

List of (Deputy) Directors

1. Dr. Amelia Vázquez de la Torre (1696 AN-1707 AN)
2. Dr. Tupaq Mamani (1707 AN-1715 AN)
3. Dr. Beatriz Moncada López (1715 AN-1718 AN)
4. Dr. Illari Quispe (1718 AN-1732 AN)
5. Dr. Aurèle Descamps (1732 AN-1739 AN)
6. Dr. Esteban Arrieta Colomer (1739 AN-Present)

Deputy Directors

1. Dr. Bayoán Cepeda (1696 AN-1704 AN)
2. Dr. Beatriz Moncada López (1704 AN-1715 AN)
3. Dr. Álvaro Jiménez Rivas (1715 AN-1724 AN)
4. Dr. Carmen Aguilar de Soto (1724 AN-1732 AN)
5. Dr. Esteban Arrieta Colomer (1732 AN-1739 AN)
6. Dr. Renata Belasco (1739 AN-Present)

See also

• Vida Science Park
• National Centre for Biotechnology and Bioinformatics
• University of Cárdenas
• National Health Institute of Nouvelle Alexandrie
• Federal National Plans