During 2025, VHIO continued to strengthen its management framework by enhancing operational efficiency, financial oversight, and strategic support functions, ensuring sustainable growth and alignment with institutional priorities.

Organizational Development and Human Resources

VHIO maintained a lean and efficient organizational structure, with approximately 15% of personnel dedicated to management and research support functions, ensuring optimal allocation of resources to scientific activity.

The Talent and Development Unit consolidated its role in attracting, developing, and retaining talent. During 2025, 110 recruitment processes were managed, resulting in 85 new hires, while more than 600 professionals participated in structured training activities.

VHIO continued to advance its commitment to diversity and inclusion, with the approval of a specific LGTBI+ Plan aligned with current regulations, aimed at promoting equal opportunities and fostering an inclusive and safe working environment.

In parallel, several initiatives were implemented to improve employee wellbeing, engagement, and organizational culture, including onboarding programs, internal events, and work-life balance measures.

Financial Management and Project Monitoring

During 2025, VHIO strengthened its financial management and project monitoring capabilities, adapting internal processes to the increasing complexity and volume of research activity.

Particular emphasis was placed on improving budget control, resource allocation, and financial sustainability, supported by enhanced coordination between finance and project management teams. These improvements contributed to a more robust and transparent financial framework, enabling better alignment between strategic priorities and resource utilization.

In parallel, project monitoring and post-award management were reinforced, ensuring improved follow-up of funded projects, compliance with funding requirements, and optimization of reporting processes. This has enabled greater efficiency in the management of research funding and improved support to research teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Strategic Planning and Institutional Development

Following the completion of the 2023–2025 Strategic Plan, VHIO initiated a participatory process to define its Strategic Plan 2026–2029, incorporating benchmarking analyses, internal evaluations, and stakeholder engagement.

The 2025 Activity Plan reached an overall execution rate of 85%, reflecting strong operational performance and effective implementation of planned actions.

Key achievements included the optimization of internal processes, the strengthening of performance monitoring systems, and the creation of new structures such as the indicators monitoring unit, supporting data-driven decision-making.

Innovation and Technology Transfer Management

VHIO continued to consolidate its innovation and technology transfer activities, strengthening its capacity to translate research results into clinical and societal impact.

Beyond key output indicators—such as patents, spin-offs, and licensing activities—the institute advanced in structuring its internal innovation processes. This includes the progressive implementation of project identification (scouting), prioritization mechanisms, and portfolio management approaches, enabling a more strategic selection and development of high-potential projects.

This approach supports the development of a balanced innovation portfolio, combining early-stage exploratory projects with more advanced translational opportunities.

Infrastructure and Operations

VHIO continued to expand and optimize its infrastructure to support growing research activity. Key developments included progress in the new research building project and the Can Safont initiative.

The completion of the Advanced Therapies Unit further strengthened VHIO’s translational capabilities, while operational improvements—such as more sustainable systems in the animal facility—enhanced efficiency and environmental sustainability.

Quality, Digitalization and Information Systems

VHIO reinforced its quality management system, maintaining key certifications (ISO 9001, ISO 15189) and achieving ISO/IEC 27001 certification in information security.

Significant progress was also made in digital transformation, including:

  • Implementation of clinical digital tools (e.g., Quimioprocess).
  • Development of a new Clinical Trial Management System (CTMS).
  • Deployment of electronic site investigator file (eISF).
  • Implementation of centralized data analytics platforms (Power BI).

These initiatives improve operational efficiency, data integration, and evidence-based decision-making across the organization.