About the VHIR
Here at the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) we promote biomedical research, innovation and teaching. Over 1,800 people are seeking to understand diseases today so the treatment can be improved tomorrow.
Research
We are working to understand diseases, to find out how they operate and to create better treatments for patients. Get to know about our groups and their lines of research.
People
People are the centre of the Vall d'Hebron Research Institute (VHIR). This is why we are bound by the principles of freedom of research, gender equality and professional attitudes that HRS4R promotes.
Clinical trials
Our work is not just basic or translational; we are leaders in clinical research. Enter and find about the clinical trials we are conducting and why we are a world reference in this field.
Progress
Our aim is to make the research carried out at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) a driving force for transformation. How? By identifying new channels and solutions for the promotion of people's health and well-being.
Core facilities
We offer specialist support for researchers, internal and external alike, ranging from specific services to preparing complete projects. All this, from a perspective of quality and speed of response.
News
We offer you a gateway for staying up to date on everything going on at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), from the latest news to future solidarity activities and initiatives that we are organising.
The Clinical Biochemistry, Drug Delivery & Therapy (CB-DDT) group arises from the merger of two VHIR groups, the Clinical Biochemistry group and the Drug Delivery and Targeting group, which they develop preclinical and clinical research in the diagnosis and therapy of different diseases.
With a direct link to the Biochemistry service of the Vall d'Hebron Hospital, our scope of action ranges from the analysis of massive data coming from the service, the development of diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, evaluation of existing therapies and the development of new therapeutic strategies based on nanotechnology.
In terms of specific pathologies or indications, the group has an extensive track record in basic and applied research in cancer (new biomarkers, therapeutic targets and new treatments), metabolopathies (biomarkers and improvements in enzyme replacement therapy), kidney disease and liver disease.
IP: Zamira Vanessa Diaz Riascos
IP: Maria del Pilar Reimundo Diaz-Fierros
IP: Roser Ferrer Costa
IP: Clara Carnicer Cáceres
IP: Santiago Ramon y Cajal Agüeras Collaborators: Joaquin Seras Franzoso, Diego Baranda Martínez-Abasca, Diego Baranda Martínez-Abasca, Sandra Mancilla Zamora, Marc Miquel Moltó Abad, Gisela Espriu Aguado, Sonia Borao Arriazu Funding agency: EUROPEAN COMMISSION Funding: 609600 Reference: CANCERSCAN_RAMON Y CAJAL_EC/PATHFINDER_OPEN2024 Duration: 01/08/2025 - 31/07/2028
IP: Ariadna Rando Segura Collaborators: Albert Blanco Grau, Luz María Cruz Carlos, Adrián Najarro Centeno , David Tabernero Caellas Funding agency: Gilead Sciences, S.L.U. Funding: 27500 Reference: GILD25_29524 Duration: 01/01/2026 - 30/06/2027
IP: Cristina Berastegui Garcia Collaborators: Ivan Vollmer Torrubiano, Maria Arnedo Muñoz, Eva Maria Revilla Lopez, Pablo Gabriel Medina, Luis Alexander Del Carpio Bellido Vargas Funding agency: Instituto de Salud Carlos III Funding: 165000 Reference: PI25/00442 Duration: 01/01/2026 - 31/12/2028
IP: Marta Martínez Vicente Collaborators: Mercedes Arrúe Gonzalo, Silvia Enriquez Calzada, Jorge Hernández Vara, Pau Sarle Valles, Eddie Pradas Gracia, Maria Camprodon Gomez, Laura Castillo Ribelles, Clara Carnicer Cáceres, Pablo Castillo Sánchez, Jordi Riera del Brío Funding agency: Generalitat de Catalunya - Departament de Salut Funding: 148830 Reference: SLT041/25/000039 Duration: 04/12/2025 - 03/12/2027
PhD student: Noelia Díaz Troyano Director/s: Roser Ferrer Costa, Francisco Rodríguez Frias University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2024
PhD student: Yolanda Villena Ortiz Director/s: Francisco Rodríguez Frias, Joan López Hellin University: Year: 2024
PhD student: Pablo Gabriel Medina Director/s: Roser Ferrer Costa, David Martinez Selva, David Martinez Selva University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2024
PhD student: Luisa Maria Martinez Sánchez Director/s: Francisco Rodríguez Frias University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2023
PhD student: Emily Marisol Toscano Guerra Director/s: Rosanna Paciucci Barzanti University: Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona Year: 2023
The families of the professionals had the opportunity to visit the facilities and discover how we work at the institution.
The new system, made of cellulose and chitosan, enables sustained release of docetaxel and has demonstrated antitumor activity in preclinical models of ovarian cancer and glioblastoma.
The new therapeutic strategy aims at maintaining the efficacy of thalidomide while avoiding its main systemic adverse effects.
