UCAM HiTech: Research and entrepreneurship
UCAM HiTech, located in the surroundings of the Los Jerónimos Campus and integrated into the National Network of High Technology Incubators, is a technological hub where entrepreneurship and research come together at the service of society. With 2,000 m2 of facilities, the 5.5-million-euro investment has been promoted and financed by the UCAM, and co-financed by FEDER funds, with the collaboration of the Incyde Foundation of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce.
The hub centres its efforts on the areas of HEALTH, SPORTS and FOOD, in which UCAM has renowned international reputation, as reflected in the most prestigious rankings, its publications in the most relevant scientific journals and its registered patents, among others. These facilities have been launched to coincide with the commemoration of the 25th Anniversary of the Universidad Católica de Murcia, to boost innovation and entrepreneurship.
This is a unique facility in the Region, with which the UCAM takes yet another step forward towards one of its priorities, namely, to contribute to the development and competitiveness of the business community, through the transfer of knowledge and technologies generated by the University's research groups.
The Universidad Católica San Antonio is known for its important commitment to increase the university-business relationship. It does so through the development of research and innovation projects in collaboration with the industry, as the latest edition of the Times Higher Education ranking has shown. UCAM has launched numerous initiatives to promote knowledge generation in collaboration with companies, such as the Industrial Doctorate Programme and the creation of national and international chairs.
RESEARCH
FACILITIES: Rooms and laboratories for molecular modelling, data analysis, microscopy (with Scanning Electron Microscope), pathological anatomy, hyperbaric chamber, chromatography, spectrophotometry, microbiology, cell cultures, virology (co-funded by the Regional Ministry of Universities, through the General Directorate for Research and Innovation), etc., with state-of-the-art equipment.
Some lines of research:
- Molecular modeling techniques applied to drug discovery.
- Vitamin C and cancer.
- Molecular and precision medicine.
- Artificial intelligence and data analysis.
- Study of high-quality, safer and healthier foods.
- Clinical trials for the evaluation of bioactive compounds.
- Design of active biodegradable packaging.
- Biomaterials and 3D printing models.
- Use of by-products and circular economy.
- Systems for water analysis and decontamination.
- Exercise physiology.
- High performance sports.
Partnerships with companies: More than EUR 7 million in active projects in collaboration with regional, national and international companies.
SPIN OFF: San Antonio Tecnologies and San Antonio Biotics are two UCAM companies housed in the facility, in which they develop their work in the field of clinical trials (SAT) and the discovery of new probiotics (SAB).
“IZPISUA BELMONTE” LABORATORY
This laboratory focuses on molecular biology. The projects that have already been initiated with UCAM's Extraordinary Professor Juan Carlos Izpisua will be conducted here. These projects include: the generation of human organs for transplants, the treatment of rare diseases, the treatment of COVID-19 and muscle regeneration, the latter in collaboration with the COE (Spanish Olympic Committee).
INAUGURATION
José Luis Mendoza, president of the UCAM, presided over the inauguration, which took place last week. He was accompanied by Juan Carlos Izpisua, professor of Developmental Biology at UCAM; José Luis Bonet, president of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce; Luis Alberto Marín, CARM's (Regional Government) councillor of Economy and Finance and Digital Administration, and José Antonio Serrano, mayor of Murcia. Other attendees included Isabel Fortea, General Director of Research, and Christian de la Fe, General Director of Universities; Antonio González, Director of the Seneca Found, members of the UCAM Governing Council, researchers and entrepreneurs.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Coworking and business incubation SPACES, aimed at supporting knowledge-based entrepreneurship and digital transformation.
GO - GROWTH - FLOW: More than 250 entrepreneurship projects per year will receive training and mentoring in these new facilities.
HiTech METHODOLOGY
This programme is tailored to the degree of maturity of each project and is aimed at entrepreneurs from the Region of Murcia, UCAM researchers and companies that want to develop new business lines in health, sports or food.
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