AstraZeneca Foundation Awards €1 Million to Promote Young Scientific Talent in Spain

The AstraZeneca Foundation awarded one million euros this Thursday to promote the development and consolidation of young scientific talent in Spain during the presentation ceremony for the 9th Young Researchers Awards. Each of the four award -winning research groups received a grant of €225,000 to continue developing their innovative research that helps improve the quality of life of patients.

In this edition, the Carlos III Health Institute ( ISCIII ) has once again been responsible for evaluating the submitted projects, as a public research organization dependent on the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. Furthermore, this year, as in the last edition, the projects were able to present a letter of support from a patient association, an aspect that was positively valued when selecting the award-winning projects.

This ninth edition, held under the motto “Vocation that Changes Lives,” has recognized four online research projects with great potential for practical application. To this end, the AstraZeneca Foundation has received a €1 million investment for the fourth consecutive year, strengthening the foundation’s commitment to the development and consolidation of young scientific talent in Spain.

In the cardiovascular, renal, and metabolism category, the award went to the ‘SYNERGYxDM2’ project , coordinated by Dr. Beatriz Merino Antolín of the University of Valladolid-Institute of Biomedicine and Molecular Genetics (IBGM) and the Valladolid Biosanitary Research Institute (IBIoVALL). The project seeks to develop new therapeutic combinations that improve the control of type 2 diabetes and reduce its complications, using innovative and personalized strategies to improve the health of these patients.

The AstraZeneca Foundation has received an investment of one million euros for the fourth consecutive year

Another of the award-winning projects in the Infectious and Immunopreventable Diseases category is ‘META-omics’, coordinated by Dr. Sara Pischedda , from the Genetics, Vaccines and Infectious Diseases Research Group (GENVIP), the Population Genetics in Biomedicine Group (GenPoB), the Santiago de Compostela Health Research Institute (IDIS), the University of Santiago de Compostela, Santiago de Compostela, and the Biomedical Research Network on Respiratory Diseases (CIBER-ES).

The objective of this project is to develop early and personalized diagnostic tools from non-invasive samples, a particularly important strategy in the pediatric population affected by this respiratory disease.

In the Oncology, Precision Medicine and Immuno-Oncology category, the grant went to the ‘ORIGYN’ project , coordinated by Dr. Noelia Tarazona Llavero , a researcher at the Mass General Brigham Cancer Center in Boston (USA) and a medical oncologist at the Biomedical Research Institute of the Hospital Clínico de Valencia – INCLIVA. The jury recognized her progress in achieving more precise and personalized immunotherapy that allows each patient to be offered the best possible option.

Finally, in the Respiratory and Immunology category , the ‘CLARA’ project received the award. Led by Dr. Darío Antolín Amérigo, from the Severe Asthma Unit of Excellence at the Ramón y Cajal University Hospital in Madrid, it delves into the personalized treatment of moderate-severe asthma to predict and prevent exacerbations and tailor therapeutic decisions to each patient.

The AstraZeneca Foundation event was also attended by regional authorities, institutional representatives, partners, researchers, and members of the scientific community

“The AstraZeneca Foundation is an extraordinary example of how public-private collaboration can be a powerful tool for transformation, capable of multiplying the impact of knowledge, connecting territories, and bringing innovation closer to patients. Spain is consolidating its position as a country of open, diverse, and global science, capable of attracting young talent from all continents ,” stated the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz Delgado.

For his part, the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa, emphasized that ” these awards not only recognize the talent of young researchers, but also promote biomedical research and innovation, which are essential for improving people’s lives and building a fairer and more humane future.”

In the words of Rick R. Suárez, President of the AstraZeneca Foundation and President of AstraZeneca Spain, “The fundamental purpose of the AstraZeneca Foundation is to foster Spanish scientific talent and promote excellence in research. We want to be a driving force for social transformation, and therefore our commitment is clear: to support talent and make our mark. Because only in this way will we ensure that the advances we celebrate today translate into a better quality of life for all.”

Furthermore, Marta Moreno, Vice President of the AstraZeneca Foundation and Director of Corporate Affairs and Market Access at AstraZeneca, noted that they are aware that behind “scientific talent and research are years of dedication, perseverance, and a common purpose: to improve people’s lives. Therefore, we are excited to continue promoting the Young Researcher Awards for another year to make a difference by generating a real impact on health.”

María Neira, honorary award

The Young Researcher Awards also include a notable distinction: the Honorary Award for Excellence in Scientific Career and Outstanding Contribution to the Health of Society. This award is given to an outstanding clinical researcher, highlighting their overall career in biomedical research and their dedication to generating scientific knowledge and advancing their specialty or area of ​​expertise, as well as their impact on the health of the population.

This year, Dr. María Neira, Director of the Department of Public Health and Environment of the World Health Organization (WHO), was awarded the title as an international expert on highly relevant issues, such as the relationship between public health, climate change, and pollution.

85% more applications in three years

This ninth edition of the Young Researchers Awards has reached a new record for participation, involving more than 200 research groups from 16 autonomous communities in Spain.

Furthermore, the number of applications submitted over the last three years has grown by 85%. This data supports the consolidation of the AstraZeneca Foundation awards, which promote research and foster scientific talent, fostering the development of research projects in various fields.

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(Featured image by National Cancer Institute via Unsplash)

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