Strengthening our combined commitment to conquer cancer
In 2024 we have continued to ramp up our team science and clinical research in oncology by strengthening our scientific infrastructure and laying the groundwork for our future initiatives and partnerships — both nationally and internationally.
At a glance Foreword by VHIO’s Director Introducing VHIO
Corporate video

VHIO talents: accelerating cancer discovery through team science

308

ONGOING RESEARCH PROJECTS

800

PROFESSIONALS

36

RESEARCH GROUPS

6

TRANSVERSAL CLINICAL TRIALS SERVICES AND UNITS

11

MULTIDISCIPLINARY TASK FORCES

6

WORKING GROUPS ACTIVE

6 Institutional Programs

CaixaResearch Advanced Oncology Research Program
BBVA Foundation Comprehensive Program of Cancer Immunotherapy & Immunology (CAIMI)
Molecular prescreening powered by our Advanced Molecular Diagnostics Program (DIAMAV)
VHIO-CRIS Program for Precision Oncology and Digitalization
Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence
Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer – AECC (Spanish Association Against Cancer) Excellence Program – Advanced Therapies Accelerator Program

Our biomedical and clinical investigators, oncologists, nursing staff and research support professionals, located at VHIO and the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital, work as closely connected teams to develop and advance new diagnostic tools and more effective therapeutics and treatment strategies against cancer.

Scientific productivity 2024

527
PUBLICATIONS
16.45
MEDIAN IMPACT FACTOR

Clinical trials at VHIO

Nearly 1,600 patients included every year in 800 clinical trials and studies with active recruitment at some time in the year.

50% clinical trials are early phase studies at our Research Unit for Molecular Therapy of Cancer (UITM) – CaixaResearch.

Total number of clinical trials and studies in oncology, hematology and radiotherapy, with active recruitment at some time in 2024:

290 Phase I trials

27 Basket trials

162 Phase II trials

183 Phase III trials

70 Post-authorization and rollover studies

3 Medical device trials

Since VHIO was established in 2006, our teams have contributed to more than 71 new drug indications.

244 new trials were initiated in 2024, including 14 post-authorization trials and rollover studies.

Technology transfer to-date, development of new therapies & technologies in precision oncology

5 Spin-off companies:

A phase II trial is evaluating Mosaic Anti-LIF antibody MSC-1, now AZD0171, has completed recruitment. The phase II trial is testing this compound in small-cell lung cancer is ongoing.
OMO-103 direct MYC-inhibitor successfully completed a phase I clinical trial. A phase Ib trial for metastatic pancreatic cancer is ongoing. Peptomyc has also announced the initiation of a Phase II clinical trial conducted by VHIO, funded by the Osteosarcoma Institute (OSI) with OMO-103 in advanced osteosarcoma.
REVEAL GENOMICS® Announces Positive Top-Line Results for HER2DX® in the Phase III CLEOPATRA Trial and has expanded its portfolio of genomic tests with the launch of TNBCDX® and DNADX®.
First-in-class TET2 modulator ONR-001 in preclinical development. Oniria has been recognised by ACCIÓ as one of the most disruptive companies in Catalonia.
A biotechnology company dedicated to investigating the biological mechanisms underlying survival in patients with high-risk cancer.

105M€

raised by VHIO’s Spin-off

45

jobs generated

+130

patients treated with VHIO derived therapies

2

ADVANCED THERAPIES DEVELOPED IN-HOUSE: p95HER2 CAR-T and NextGen-TIL-ACT

VHIO 360

  • Liquid biopsy test based on Guardant360® technology.
  • Comprehensive genomic profiling of 74 cancer-associated genes.
  • First test in Europe based on this cutting-edge technology.
  • VHIO has launched a pilot study for the use of VHIO 360 in Catalonia, targeting adult patients with non-small cell lung cancer when tissue samples are unavailable.

New technologies, platforms and facilities 2024

UNIQUE CaixaResearch next-generation single-cell sequencing platform
Opera Phenix™ Plus High Content Screening (HCS)
Advanced Therapies Accelerator Unit – Clean Room

43

patent families

Cross-border consortia & partnerships of excellence

+40

European and international consortia, collaborations, and alliances of excellence in oncology (co) led by VHIO investigators.

Education and training 2024

22 VHIO - CaixaResearch Scientific Seminars

Coordinated by the VHIO Academy, the annual VHIO-CaixaResearch Scientific Seminars Series welcomes internationally renowned researchers and clinical investigators to share and discuss their latest research findings and to meet with VHIO investigators.

In 2024, the VHIO Academy organized:
  • 6 academic programs
  • 15 scientific and transferable skills trainings
  • 6 workshops on professional development skills for clinicians
  • 1 Cancer Core Europe (CCE) educational activity

The VHIO Academy supports scientific career progression and creates a flourishing workplace, to deliver high quality biomedical research and innovation. Since it was established in 2021, the VHIO Academy has developed, launched and coordinated several programs including International Academic Programs (Bachelor, Masters, PhD calls), a structured International PhD Program, and an Advanced Training Program.

12 Benchstormings in 2024

Also coordinated by the VHIO Academy, our annual series of Benchstorming Seminars represent an excellent opportunity for young researchers to present and discuss their research interests with other VHIO groups.

+60 ad-hoc COURSES AND WORKSHOPS in 2024

Focused on specific, cutting-edge aspects of cancer research and treatment, we also organize and host several ad-hoc events throughout the year including workshops, preceptorships and observerships.

Fundraising, public outreach and patient engagement activities 2024

FUNDRAISING ACTIVITIES

51 INITIATIVES IN SUPPORT OF CANCER RESEARCH
17,556 PARTICIPANTS

OUTREACH ACTIVITIES

49 OUTREACH ACTIVITIES
1,717 PARTICIPANTS
Of which:
10 VHIO Talks, with 464 attendees and with the participation of 25 VHIO professionals.
1 Research Day for patients with colorectal cancer, with 28 attendees and the participation of 7 VHIO professionals.

Recognition through accreditation

VHIO continues to meet the high standards in quality and procedures in the audit of our Clinical Trials Units, carried out by the Generalitat de Catalunya (Government of Catalonia).

Since 2020 VHIO and the Vall d’Hebron University Hospital are jointly accredited as a European Neuroendocrine Tumor Society (ENETS) Center of Excellence.
Accreditation with maximal distinction -A- from the Institució CERCA – Centres de Recerca de Catalunya (CERCA Institute of Research Centres of Catalonia) for the period 2017-2021 (‘A’ ranking).
Since 2022 VHIO is accredited as a Severo Ochoa Center of Excellence (2022-2026). This prestigious distinction is granted within the subprogram of the Spanish Institutional Strengthening of the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research & Innovation.
Announced in 2022, and now one of VHIO’s Institutional Programs, we received support from the Asociación Española Contra el Cáncer – AECC (Spanish Association Against Cancer) – Advanced Therapies Accelerator Program.
In 2023, the Vall d’Hebron Campus was awarded Comprehensive Cancer Centre status by the Organisation of European Cancer Institutes (OECI) through its Accreditation and Designation (A&D) Programme.
The Human Resources Strategy for Researchers (HRS4R) is an initiative of the European Commission to encourage research institutions to implement the European Charter for Researchers and Code of Conduct for the recruitment of research staff. Upon the official approval by HRS4R assessors, VHIO has been awarded HR Excellence in Research since 2018.


Part of the Vall d’Hebron Campus

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