The Tenerife Island Council and the University of La Laguna are promoting biomedical research and technology transfer on the island through an agreement between the Tenerife Medical Institute (Imetisa) and the Canary Islands Foundation for the Advancement of Biomedicine and Biotechnology (Bioavance Foundation). The agreement was signed yesterday, Thursday, July 11, by the President of the Island Council, Rosa Dávila, and the Councilor for Innovation, Research and Development, Juan José Martínez, at a ceremony also attended by the Rector of the academic institution, Francisco García. The agreement between the Bioavance Foundation and Imetisa represents an investment of €900,000 over two years and will enhance scientific excellence and research in biomedicine in Tenerife, creating the appropriate framework for the development of various programs and initiatives and providing the necessary resources and equipment to foster translational research and knowledge transfer.
«With this agreement, we are making concrete the commitment to innovation and research in Tenerife announced during the State of the Island debate. This investment will fund the acquisition of scientific equipment for Tenerife’s public biomedical and health research institutions. The Technological Institute of Biomedicine is a national leader, and when we invest in scientific research, it ultimately benefits the community, multiplying the Institute’s capacity to reach all sectors of society,” stated Rosa Dávila.
“This agreement with the Bioavance Foundation, in which both the Island Council and the University of La Laguna participate, allows us to carry out scientific research related to health, such as research into neurodegenerative diseases or diabetes, which has a high prevalence. Hence the importance of the close collaboration between the University of La Laguna, the Canary Islands Health Service, and the Bioavance Foundation. Having the necessary equipment to carry out scientific work is crucial because it translates into a boost for research, which is the main objective of this agreement,” added the Island President.
For his part, Juan José Martínez indicated that public research centers in Tenerife are allies in the transformation and diversification of the production model. "We at the Island Council are working towards this goal through various initiatives, such as the one Imetisa is developing to support research projects at the University of La Laguna.".
Rector Francisco García emphasized the importance of highlighting the word "investment" when discussing science, as it has a multiplier effect for the future. "The economic return is 1 to 5 euros; for every euro invested in science, five euros of benefit are generated for society as a whole. Furthermore, it is important to create a call for proposals for biomedical projects in Tenerife that may not be eligible for other funding. We are talking about projects so that scientists working daily can obtain the necessary funds to make these high-potential investments, allowing them to continue developing their work in different areas.".
The objectives of this agreement, in addition to those already mentioned, are to promote the coordinated participation of both entities in the development of projects and activities coordinated and directed by the Bioavance Foundation, as well as to strengthen the scientific and medical relations between both entities in order to achieve optimal use of their resources. Furthermore, it aims to jointly design the different lines of action and provide the necessary resources for the development of projects, programs, and activities.
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