The Innovation and Business Development Department at Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) has launched the Technological Boost Fund (FIT), an initiative designed to finance projects developed at VHIR that have high impact and potential for market transfer, and that also require immediate funding to accelerate their development and, therefore, their translation into clinical practice.

FIT, structured as a competitive open call, is launched twice a year and is organized into three different modalities —Discovery, Growth, and Speed-up— depending on the multidimensional maturity level of the proposals and their needs. Grants can reach up to €20,000 per initiative. The initiative is funded 50% by VHIR’s own resources and 50% by the Prous Institute for Biomedical Research, with whom a collaboration agreement has been signed to ensure this support for three years.

In its first 2025 edition, FIT has allocated €43,500 to fund three projects addressing unmet clinical needs with innovative solutions: SonoHeart, Tree of Geriatric Syndromes, and Klotho Protein. SonoHeart focuses on developing a portable device that incorporates ultrasound microsensors and artificial intelligence technology to enable continuous, non-invasive, and autonomous cardiac monitoring. The project aims to detect hemodynamic alterations at an early stage. On the other hand, Tree of Geriatric Syndromes seeks to create an innovative application to assess frailty and identify geriatric syndromes in both hospitalized and home-based patients. Finally, Klotho Protein aims to develop a new therapy to treat bone diseases such as osteoporosis, promoting the preservation of bone mass, improving its density and structure, and reducing the adverse effects of current treatments.

Each selected proposal will receive approximately €15,000 in financial support becoming a key aid to mitigate the lack of funding, accelerate development, and facilitate market transfer of these projects. This support is intended to act as a true catalyst, enabling the achievement of strategic milestones that consolidate project progress and enhance their scientific, technological, and social impact.

The second edition of FIT is expected to launch in October 2025, continuing to promote excellence and knowledge transfer, and contributing to the development of an innovative and competitive ecosystem through the funding of new projects.