Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research

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

The Institute for Advanced Biomedical Research (Martino: Inistituto de Investigación Biomédica Avanzada) is one of Nouvelle Alexandrie's leading biomedical science institutions, dedicated to the discovery, development, and translation of advanced medical therapies. It is located in the Vida Science Park, integrating basic medical research, clinical studies, and biomedical engineering to adress pressing health challenges. It operates in cooperation with the centers of the National Health Institute located in the science park and serves as a national hub for translational medicine. It employs over 1,900 researchers - with over 300 postgraduates from the University of Cárdenas - and therefore is one of the largest employers in the 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, state-of-the-art facility. Before its creating, 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 innovation. Its main advocate was Dr. Amelia Vázquez de la Torre, one of the foremost Santander-born bioscientists at the time.

The choice of Vida Science Park allowed close collaboration with the University of Cárdenas, National Health Insitute, 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 labs, and clinical trial facilities.

In 1730 AN, the IIBA was marked formally as a National Center of Excellence, and under the National Health Plan, it received a record investment of over €3.4 billion. With this funding, a new research complex was constructed, with specialized regenerative therapies wing and a state-of-the-art infectious disease containment unit. It also included upgraded computing facilities for bioinformatics and AI-assisted diagnostics, enabling the institute to significantly increase its clinical trial capacity and strengthen its international research partnerships.

Research

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

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

The IIBA houses a Phase I-III clinical trials unit and the National Biobank for Clinical Trials, allowing for rapid discoveries into safe, regulated testing pipelines.

The IIBA collaborates with academic institutions (including the University of Cárdenas), 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 RegeneraVita - Partial regeneration of cardiac tissue using autologous stem cells in human patients. Completed in 1715 AN.
• Proyecto NeuroPuento - Implantable bioelectronic bridge enabling partial recovery of movement in spinal cord injury cases. Completed in 1721 AN.
• Proyecto OncoDirigido - AI-guided chemotherapy targeting to reduce toxic side effects 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. Its campus is composed of 1 main office, 5 specialized wings, and 2 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, 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 a dedicated 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 facility include a BSL-4 level 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 is a dedicated wing for processing large-scale biomedical datasets and predictive modeling, with 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 huge collection of biomedical literature and data.

Organization

The IIBA is overseen by a Director-General, appointed by the Federal Science & Research Council and 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
    • 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. Santiago Murillo - 1707 AN-1715 AN
3. Dr. Beatriz Moncada López - 1715 AN-1718 AN
4. Dr. Lucía Herrera Campos - 1718 AN-1732 AN
5. Dr. Mateo Cortés y Almagro - 1732 AN-1739 AN
6. Dr. Esteban Arrieta Colomer - 1739 AN-Present

Deputy Directors

1. Dr. Ignacio del Río - 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