5.5 million euros, this high-tech incubator specialising in the areas of health, sports and food, with entrepreneurship and research as its cornerstones, was launched this morning. This centre, which has 2,000 m2 of facilities, is part of the National Network of Incubators for the promotion of innovation and technology transfer.

The inauguration ceremony was presided over by José Luis Mendoza, president of the UCAM; accompanied by Juan Carlos Izpisua, professor of Developmental Biology at the university; José Luis Bonet, president of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce; Luis Alberto Marín, CARM's councillor of Economy and Finance and Digital Administration; and José Antonio Serrano, mayor of Murcia. 

José Luis Mendoza stated that this centre is being set up "with the desire to develop research projects that help to improve the health of the population; in short, to serve society". The president of UCAM expressed his satisfaction with inaugurating this building together with Juan Carlos Izpisua, "a world reference in the field of research, with special emphasis on his work in organ regeneration and the treatment of coronavirus".

The scientist Juan Carlos Izpisua stressed the role of the university in society, "where knowledge is transmitted and generated for the advancement of humanity, highlighting that " UCAM has been considered one of the best universities in Europe this year, the year in which it celebrates its 25th anniversary". The scientist added that "in this incubator we will work to generate knowledge with UCAM, with the Salk Institute and with other research institutions around the world, thanks to the Universidad Católica's commitment to research, attracting European funds to the Region of Murcia". In this building "we will also promote collaboration with companies, so that the knowledge being generated in the laboratory is gradually transferred to society". 

José Luis Bonet, President of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce, emphasised that "it is a pleasure to be at the inauguration of this incubator, which is the result of the initiative of many, fundamentally the Universidad Católica, to which institutions and administrations have joined, reflecting Europe's support for the progress of Spain".  

Luis Alberto Marín, councillor of Economy, Finance and Digital Administration, and José Antonio Serrano, Mayor of Murcia, also took part in the event, both of whom valued the launch of UCAM HiTech as a reference centre for research, highlighting the role of the Universidad Católica in the transfer of results at an international level. They also highlighted the fact that UCAM puts its researchers at the service of society, especially the citizens of the Region of Murcia.  

The event was also attended by Isabel Fortea, General Director of Research, and Christian de la Fe, General Director of Universities; Antonio González, Director of the Seneca Foundation, and members of the UCAM Governing Council, researchers and entrepreneurs.



Entrepreneurship and research for the benefit of society

Its 2,000 m2 of facilities will be used for two major tasks: entrepreneurship and research. 

For research, it has rooms and laboratories for molecular modelling, data analysis, microscopy, pathological anatomy, a hyperbaric chamber, chromatography, spectrophotometry, microbiology, cell cultures, virology, molecular biology (the 'Izpisua Belmonte' Laboratory), etc. All of which are equipped with state-of-the-art equipment. As for entrepreneurship, it has spaces for co-working and business incubation. 

The facilities of this centre are promoted and financed by the Universidad Católica de Murcia, with the co-financing (€1.5M) of FEDER funds through a competitive call managed by the Incyde Foundation (Fundación Incyde) of the Spanish Chambers of Commerce. The construction of the Virology Laboratory has been co-financed by the Regional Ministry of Universities, through the General Directorate for Scientific Research and Innovation.

This is a unique facility in the Region of Murcia, with which UCAM takes another step towards achieving one of its priorities: to contribute to the development and competitiveness of the industry through the transfer of knowledge and technologies generated by university teams.