- European funding strengthens healthcare and pharmaceutical research in Spain.
- The CSIC and the G6 propose a reliable and secure European strategy for artificial intelligence.
- The Canary Islands are moving toward a new Science Law to strengthen their R&D&I system.
- International collaboration and investment in science seek innovative solutions to major social challenges.
In the last months, Science has occupied a leading role in the Spanish public agenda and European, with a series of initiatives aimed at strengthening research, innovation, and technological development in key areas such as health, artificial intelligence, and the legislative framework that regulates R&D&I. These developments reflect a clear commitment to positioning Spain and its companies among the powerhouses of knowledge and innovation, while strengthening collaboration with key European players in the scientific sector.
The most recent actions have had both an impact on the financing and coordination of major projects of common European interest as in the design of policies that seek to modernize the national scientific ecosystem, involving universities, research centers, and companies in the creation of solutions to current challenges.
Spain leads healthcare innovation with European support
El Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, through the Center for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), has taken a fundamental step by approving financing for Spanish companies within the Important Project of Common European Interest in Health (IPCEI Med4Cure). In total, they have been granted 126,9 million euros in subsidies, aimed at promoting research and industrial capacity in the pharmaceutical sector.
This project is the first of its kind dedicated to health within the European framework and is supported by the European Commission. The beneficiary projects seek to fill therapeutic gaps, promoting advanced therapies for rare diseases and antimicrobial resistance, as well as improving sustainability in drug manufacturing.
Among the main recipients of this aid are companies such as Sylentis, Rovi, Reig Jofre, Medichem, Minoryx Therapeutics and Oryzon GenomicsEach of them will develop initiatives in fields as diverse as oligonucleotide production, gene and cell therapy research, and drug validation for central nervous system diseases.
El final goal es consolidate Spain's technological and industrial capacity, positioning the country at the forefront of European biomedical research and advanced pharmaceutical manufacturing. Furthermore, these programs are expected to generate thousands of jobs and attract investment, boosting growth and improving competitiveness at the international level.
Artificial intelligence: a strategic European priority in science
In parallel with the advances in health, the scientific community has called on the European Union to promote a common strategy in the development of artificial intelligence (AI) applied to researchThe Spanish National Research Council (CSIC), which leads the so-called G6 of European science, has highlighted the importance of investing in AI technologies, ensuring open infrastructure, and strengthening the training and mobility of scientific talent in Europe to delve deeper into innovative and key areas of science.
The G6-sponsored manifesto emphasizes that AI is radically transforming the way research is conducted, facilitating everything from the analysis of large volumes of data to the design of predictive models with applications in fields such as health, climatology, and engineering. However, it warns that Europe must ensure its technological leadership and reduce dependence on external infrastructure..
Specific recommendations include promoting basic AI research, establishing interoperable data networks and computing resources, and creating a common ethical and policy framework for the use of artificial intelligence in science. Interdisciplinary collaboration and funding of joint European projects are essential to meet these challenges.
Legal update of science in the Canary Islands
In the legislative field, another notable milestone is the parliamentary debate on the Canary Islands Science LawThis standard seeks Provide a stable and modern framework for the development of R&D&I in the Archipelago, with the aim of providing the autonomous system with tools that ensure its sustainability, competitiveness, and responsiveness to social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Among the most innovative elements contemplated in the bill are the administrative simplification, the creation of collegiate governance bodies, tax incentives for investment in research, and a commitment to increasing the R&D&I budget to 3% of the regional total.
The future legislation also provides for the development of the Canary Islands R&D&I Plan 2030, a strategic instrument for the coming years that aims to strengthen cooperation between universities, companies, technology centers, and the public administration itself.
International collaboration and the future of science
These advances reflect the Commitment of Spanish and European institutions to strengthening the scientific ecosystemTransnational coordination, public and private investment, and the modernization of science and innovation policies are presented as the key vectors for increasing competitiveness and responding to the major challenges of this century.
The scientific community, public bodies and companies agree on the need to Promote knowledge transfer, collaboration on high-impact projects, and the training of specialized professionalsAll of this is aimed at ensuring that the fruits of research contribute to the well-being of society and expand opportunities for sustainable development.
The firm commitment to science and innovation is allowing Spain and Europe to strengthen their position as global leaders in research, increasing their capacity to respond to current and future challenges, as well as contributing to economic, social, and technological advancement.
