2025/04/03

CIC bioGUNE receives the Accreditation of Centers from the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer

CIC bioGUNE has been accredited by the Scientific Foundation of the AECC as one of the leading cancer research centers in Spain, standing out for its commitment to scientific excellence and precision medicine.
The recently awarded PreMetaCan project focused on cancer metabolism, and its multidisciplinary approach enhance its impact on the diagnosis and treatment of the disease.
Internationally recognized, CIC bioGUNE continues to consolidate its position as a leader in biomedical research and the fight against cancer.

CIC bioGUNE, member of BRTA, has been accredited by the Scientific Foundation of the Spanish Association Against Cancer (SFAECC) as one of the 13 most prominent cancer research centers in Spain. This prestigious recognition underscores the center’s commitment to excellence in oncology research and strengthens its position as an international reference in the fight against cancer.

Since 2018, the Scientific Foundation has been instrumental in supporting centers of excellence in oncology research. With the establishment of the Accreditation of Centers in 2024, the Foundation has taken a decisive step in promoting oncology research. This new accreditation system not only values scientific excellence but also the quality of institutional management at the centers, which play a crucial role in advancing scientific projects combating cancer. A total of 13 centers have received this distinction, establishing themselves as national and international leaders in oncology research.

This recognition of CIC bioGUNE reinforces its ability to generate impact both in science and society. The accreditation grants access to exclusive funding opportunities and strengthens the visibility and impact of research projects. Through this initiative, the Scientific Foundation reaffirms its commitment to excellence and innovation in oncology research, working towards the ambitious goal of surpassing a 70% global cancer survival rate by 2030.

CIC bioGUNE’s Commitment to Cutting-Edge Oncology Research

CIC bioGUNE has consistently demonstrated a strong commitment to oncology research, supported by its multidisciplinary approach in areas such as "Metabolism and Cellular Signaling in Diseases" and "Molecular Recognition and Host-Pathogen Interactions." One of its flagship projects in this field is PreMetaCan, a pioneering research effort that recently received 2 million euros from the Spanish Association Against Cancer (AECC). Led by Arkaitz Carracedo and directed by Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, this project focuses on studying how metabolism influences cancer development and resistance, aiming to optimize combined therapies and enhance the efficacy of personalized treatments. The research employs advanced technologies, such as nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), and explores innovative areas such as metabolomics, glycobiology, and translational oncology.

The accreditation received not only highlights the importance of projects like PreMetaCan but also emphasizes CIC bioGUNE’s ongoing commitment to precision medicine, supported by a combination of basic and applied research to improve both the diagnosis and treatment of various types of cancer. The advanced infrastructure at CIC bioGUNE, which includes technological platforms in genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, is essential for conducting scientific research that generates a tangible impact on health and society.

A Multidisciplinary and Translational Research Model at the Service of Society

CIC bioGUNE is distinguished by its ability to approach research from a multidisciplinary perspective, integrating areas such as chemistry, biology, biomedicine, and mathematics, with the goal of developing new tools and approaches for cancer treatment. The center is actively working on generating fundamental knowledge and exploring new technologies that, in the long term, could lead to clinical, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications. With an average of more than five patents filed annually, CIC bioGUNE demonstrates its capacity for innovation, collaborating with national and international institutions to advance innovative solutions in the fight against cancer.

Additionally, CIC bioGUNE maintains a strong commitment to training new talent in research, working closely with universities and other research centers to foster scientific and technological innovation. Through its multidisciplinary approach, CIC bioGUNE continues to solidify its role as a key player in biomedical research, with growing recognition both nationally and internationally, particularly in the field of oncology.

An International Leader in Biomedical Research

The impact of CIC bioGUNE on oncology research is widely recognized both nationally and internationally. The center has received numerous prestigious awards, including nine European Research Council (ERC) grants and the Severo Ochoa Excellence Seal from the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities of the Government of Spain. The recent accreditation from the Scientific Foundation of the AECC further strengthens its leadership in biomedical research, highlighting its contribution to the fight against cancer and its alignment with the AECC’s goals to improve global cancer survival.

About CIC bioGUNE

The Centre for Cooperative Research in Biosciences (CIC bioGUNE), member of the Basque Research & Technology Alliance (BRTA), located in the Bizkaia Technology Park, is a biomedical research organization conducting cutting-edge research at the interface between structural, chemical, molecular and cell biology, with a particular focus on generating knowledge on the molecular bases of disease, for use in the development of new diagnostic methods and advanced therapies.

About BRTA

BRTA is an alliance of 4 collaborative research centres (CIC bioGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, CIC biomaGUNE y CIC energiGUNE) and 13 technology centres (Azterlan, Azti, Ceit, Cidetec, Gaiker, Ideko, Ikerlan, Leartiker, Lortek, Neiker, Tecnalia, Tekniker y Vicomtech) with the main objective of developing advanced technological solutions for the Basque corporate fabric.

With the support of the Basque Government, the SPRI Group and the Provincial Councils of the three territories, the alliance seeks to promote collaboration between the research centres, strengthen the conditions to generate and transfer knowledge to companies, contributing to their competitiveness and outspreading the Basque scientific-technological capacity abroad.

BRTA has a workforce of over 4,000 professionals, executes 22% of the Basque Country's R&D investment, registers an annual turnover of more than 300 million euros and generates 100 European and international patents per year.

Spanish version