About us
CIC bioGUNE conducts pioneering multidisciplinary research at the intersection of Chemistry, Data Science, Biology, and Biomedicine. Our mission is to advance Precision & Personalized Medicine by exploring the molecular mechanisms of diseases. CIC bioGUNE researchers focus on Structural, Molecular, Cell Biology, and Immunology tools with the aim of developing more targeted and effective treatments.
2025 in Numbers
Published in D1
Scientific Magazines
In 2025, CIC bioGUNE consolidated its position as a leading European biomedical research center through outstanding performance across competitive funding, scientific excellence, talent recruitment, innovation, and international visibility. The year was marked by strong growth in both scientific output and translational impact, reinforcing the center’s strategic role in life sciences and biomedicine.
CIC bioGUNE sustained a broad and ambitious research portfolio addressing major biomedical challenges, including cancer, gene editing technologies, metabolic diseases, infectious diseases, and neurobiology.
The center celebrated its 20th Anniversary, marking two decades of scientific excellence and institutional growth.
Strategic collaborations were strengthened, notably the CIMA–CIC bioGUNE alliance, which integrates research and innovation efforts in gene editing, viral vectors, and advanced therapies, positioning it as a key translational partnership.
In addition, CIC bioGUNE expanded its international networks, including participation in initiatives such as GlycoNet, and reinforced societal engagement through collaborations linking biomedical research with sport and health, including partnerships with Athletic Club.
Scientific dissemination, communication and outreach were reinforced through an active seminar program featuring world-leading institutions such as MIT, Harvard, and Max Planck, as well as initiatives like the ERC FRONTIERS Science Journalism Residency.
These activities, together with high-level scientific events, diplomacy initiatives, and outreach programs, significantly enhanced the center’s global visibility and impact.
Research
Throughout 2025, scientific production remained at a high level of excellence, with 87% of publications in Q1 journals and 60% in D1 journals, and an h-index of 124. Research activity spanned major areas such as cancer biology and immunology, liver disease, glycobiology, proteogenomics, computational chemistry, microbiota, and AI-driven biomedical research. The overall portfolio reflects a strong emphasis on translational oncology, systems biology, and data-driven approaches to complex diseases.
The institute maintained a strong training environment with approximately 90 PhD students in progress and 17 doctoral theses defended, including international and industrial doctorates.
Projects & Funding Applications
Along 2025, 49 new proposals have been funded from different organizations from the Basque Country, Spain, and other countries, while CIC bioGUNE investigators presented 117 applications. The overall number of active projects stands at 210.
From a funding perspective, 2025 was exceptionally successful, particularly at the European level. The center secured a prestigious ERC Synergy Grant coordinated by Raúl Pérez-Jiménez (RGNcestry project on RNA-guided nucleases) and an ERC Proof of Concept Grant awarded to Jesús Jiménez-Barbero (BiParatopic, focused on bispecific antibodies for cancer).
In addition, CIC bioGUNE participated in the MSCA Doctoral Network (EVADERE) and international recognition through the Balzan Prize awarded to Arkaitz Carracedo.
At the national level, the center obtained nine “Generación de Conocimiento” projects, representing approximately €2.48 M plus additional predoctoral funding, alongside strong public–private collaborations such as CATIB and ERYSAFETY.
Regional funding through ELKARTEK and IKUR programs, together with competitive private and foundation support (including AECC and CaixaResearch), further diversified the funding portfolio.
Innovation
Innovation remained a cornerstone of CIC bioGUNE’s activity. In 2025, the center reported seven new invention disclosures, covering areas such as cancer therapeutics, enzyme engineering, prion biology, and gene therapy strategies.
Technology transfer activities showed significant dynamism, with 43 new business leads, 59 material and 20 confidentiality agreements, and ongoing licensing and sponsorship negotiations. These figures demonstrate the center’s ability to translate scientific knowledge into tangible societal and industrial impact.
A key milestone in 2025 was the establishment of a strategic collaboration with CIMA (University of Navarra), aimed at advancing innovative therapies through combined expertise in gene editing, viral vectors, and clinical development.
Importantly, CIC bioGUNE obtained the ISO 56001:2024 certification for Innovation Management, reinforcing its structured approach to innovation governance and continuous improvement.
Personnel & Talent
- The institute also strengthened its human capital through the recruitment of highly competitive researchers via Ramón y Cajal, Juan de la Cierva, AECC Talento, La Caixa Junior Leader programs.
- New group leaders and fellows reinforced strategic areas including cancer biology, glycobiology, synthetic biology, and metabolic disease, ensuring sustained leadership in key biomedical domains and long-term scientific renewal.
- A new research group, “Precision Cancer Multiomics Lab” was created, led by Dr. Isabel Mendizabal
Isabel Mendizabal
Precision Cancer
Multiomics Lab
AVADHESHA SUROLIA AWARD
Dr. Jesús Jiménez-Barbero, Scientific Director and Group Leader of the Chemical Glycobiology Lab, receives the Avadhesha Surolia Award for excellence in Glycobiology from Indian Institute of Science Alumni Association (IIScAA) and Indian Institute of Science (IISc).
RESEARCH EXCELLENCE AWARD
Dr. Óscar Millet, Principal Investigator of the Precision Medicine and Metabolism Lab, has been honored with the 2025 Research Excellence Award granted by the Royal Spanish Society of Chemistry (RSEQ) in recognition of his outstanding scientific career.
NATIONAL AWARD FOR EMERGING RESEARCH LEADERS
Dr. June Ereño-Orbea, Ikerbasque researcher, Caixa Junior Leader and leader of the Cancer Glycoimmunology Lab, has been awarded the National Award from the Specialized Group of Biological Chemistry of the RSEQ for Emerging Research Leaders, in its sixth edition.
Scientific Communication & Outreach
Our noteworthy discoveries and outcomes of 2025 have received considerable attention across general and specialized printed magazines, online platforms, television, and radio programs, enhancing the broad interest and coverage of our scientific advancements.
CIC bioGUNE reinforces its commitment to society:
- Engaging a diverse audience through radio, by the «BioEnredados: Uniendo ciencia y Vida» podcast, and digital platforms to communicate project outcomes captivatingly.
- Science outreach fairs further emphasize interactive presentations of the research findings to the public.
- The innovative fusion of science and art underscores the center’s dedication to fostering creativity and disseminating scientific results.
- Cancer Talks “Hablemos de Cáncer” initiative, which fosters open dialogue between researchers, patients, clinicians, and the public.
Crowdfunding
Collaborative efforts with charitable organizations aim to bring science to the public and advocate for the importance of research investment in community development. Notable initiatives include charity runs and benevolent events organized by local associations to raise funds for different research groups at CIC bioGUNE.
Equality Plan
Equality Plan Renewal: 2024- 2027
UNDER NEGOTIATION
Annual Activities
Regulatory Update
January 2025 –Adaptation Protocol for the management and investigation of conflicts, workplace harassment, sexual harassment, harassment based on sex, sexual orientation and identity and gender expression, violence in the workplace and antisocial behavior
Royal Decree 1026/2024 which develops the planned set of measures for equality and non-discrimination of LGBTI people in companies.
February 11th
March 8th
November 25th
