Vall d’Hebron has hosted the first joint day with the Mayo Clinic on innovation in nephrology. Under the guidance of Núria Montserrat, Minister of Research and Universities, the Mayo Clinic-Vall d’Hebron Nephrology Update was inaugurated at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) auditorium, where she highlighted that “science is not a solitary path, but a shared exercise of humility, perseverance, and strength that also reflects social values.”

Next, Dr. Begoña Benito, director of VHIR, noted that “this event is a key collaboration between two institutions with shared interests, aligned with VHIR’s mission: to conduct research always with patients in mind.”

“Vall d’Hebron is consolidating itself as a reference hospital, one of the largest and most advanced centers in nephrology research and care, and collaborations like this with the Mayo Clinic reinforce our commitment to excellence and innovation,” said Dr. María José Abadías, medical director of the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, at the conclusion of the opening ceremony and the start of the sessions.

Throughout Friday and Saturday, the event offered talks focused on the main advances and challenges in nephrology, with the participation of professionals and specialists in the field.

Dr. María José Soler, head of the Clinical Nephrology and Dialysis Section at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital and co-leader of the Nephrology and Transplantation Research Group at VHIR, and Dr. Oriol Bestard, nephrologist and head of the Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Service at Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, associate professor of Medicine at the Autonomous University of Barcelona, and co-director of the Nephrology and Renal Transplantation Research Group at VHIR, co-directed the event alongside Mayo Clinic Rochester (recognized as the world’s best hospital) and participated in several talks, including “When to Start SGLT2 Inhibitors in Patients with Glomerular Disease” and “New Desensitization Targets in Highly Sensitized Patients Awaiting Kidney Transplant.”

Some of these presentations addressed topics related to various kidney transplant techniques, new controversies and challenges in nephrology, as well as advances in the treatment of glomerular diseases such as vasculitis and lupus nephritis. Other clinical aspects of interest were also discussed, including prevention of chronic kidney disease progression, new immunomodulatory therapies, and strategies to improve the quality of life of people with kidney disease. For the organizers, it was a source of pride to work and innovate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients with kidney disease. At that time, research in the field of nephrology was in constant development and improvement.

These two days of the event were key to putting the latest nephrology developments, advances, and updates across all areas on the map.