Turning an idea from the laboratory into a new treatment, medical technology, or clinical tool is a complex process involving numerous actors, resources, and strategic decisions. A good scientific idea is just the first step, according to Pablo Estañol, innovation project manager at IDIBELL and coordinator of the European project XarSMART.
In a recent interview on the program Via 15, Estañol explained the work of XarSMART, which acts as a bridge to facilitate knowledge transfer between the academic and industrial worlds. The conversation offered a reflection on the elements needed for a research project to become an innovation with real impact on health.
Based on his experience, five key ideas for research teams are highlighted: thinking about transfer from the outset, as development begins before the technology is mature; innovation is a team effort requiring coordination of diverse profiles (transfer, intellectual property, companies, investors, hospitals, public institutions); and the search for funding is continuous, moving from initial public resources to private investment as the technology matures.
Furthermore, it is important to know when to stop a project when scientific evidence shows insufficient solid results or the technology does not meet expectations, as research involves uncertainty. Finally, it is necessary to foster a culture of innovation within research centers, integrating knowledge transfer as a natural part of the research process.
The Innovation office at IDIBELL supports research groups at all stages, facilitating connections to evolve scientific results into real applications. Projects like XarSMART reinforce this mission. The initiative VTSO-XarSMART Health Innovation Awards has already allocated over 100,000 euros to health research projects from Catalan public institutions, connecting research with other sectors. The 2026 call for applications is open.
IDIBELL, a research center established in 2004 specializing in cancer, neuroscience, translational medicine, and regenerative medicine, has over 1,500 professionals and 73 research groups. It is supported by the Bellvitge University Hospital, Viladecans Hospital, the Catalan Institute of Oncology, the University of Barcelona, and the L'Hospitalet de Llobregat City Council.
In the first three years of XarSMART, the creation of four companies based on technologies from public institutions has been driven, including digital solutions for stroke patients and new developments in regenerative medicine, neurology, and inflammatory diseases (Myosafe, Irundit, Ardea Biotech, and AIMS Medical). The full development of a biomedical technology can take over a decade.
The final message is that good science alone is not enough; an innovation strategy from the beginning, alliances, and adequate support are needed to transform laboratory knowledge into real benefits for society. The proximity between basic research, clinical research, and hospitals at IDIBELL creates an ideal ecosystem, which will be amplified with the launch of the GreenVia Biomedical Accelerator promoted with FONAVI.
