Network created to boost Barcelona as international benchmark in respiratory-disease research
Catalan Minister Boi Ruiz presented the 'Barcelona Respiratory Network' made up of university hospitals, companies, research centers and social organizations.
By Biocat
More than twenty Catalan university hospitals, research centers, companies from the pharmaceutical industry, and social organizations have joined forces under the Barcelona Respiratory Network Foundation (BRN) to strengthen and streamline research and innovation in the field of respiratory health. The official presentation was made last Saturday 7 September at Palau Robert in Barcelona, coinciding with the congress held by the European Respiratory Society (ERS 2013), which brought together more than 20,000 professionals from around the world in the city.
Both Catalan Minister of Health Boi Ruiz, who presided over the event, and Barcelona City Council Health Delegate Cristina Iniesta showed the support of the bodies they represent for this public-private initiative. Respiratory diseases have a highly significant impact on society and healthcare and “public healthcare policy must be to prevent this disease, not just treat it,” said the Minister.
President of the BRN Foundation Dr. Àlvar Agustí explained that this isn’t a new research center but a network to “catalyze synergies and join forces so centers and industry that carry out research can do more, better. We are a meeting point.” BRN will work to promote collaborative scientific projects of excellence, attract investment and facilitate public-private partnerships.
Since it went into operation in late 2012, the foundation has launched a call for expressions of interest geared towards researchers in order to identify key research fields, are creating a map of research resources in respiratory health in Barcelona (which will be public) and are working towards holding a symposium on personalized respiratory medicine in 2014.
We recommend Biocat’s interview with Dr. Àlvar Agustí (September 2013) in which he explains Catalonia’s potential in this field of science, the work they have begun to promote it internationally, and where respiratory research is heading.