A project to improve early detection of respiratory infections caused by the fungus Aspergillus wins the third edition of the IRBLleida Key Innovation Projects (ISP2025) in Biomedicine competition

The third call for proposals for "Seed Innovation Projects (ISP2025) in Biomedicine" promoted by the Lleida Biomedical Research Institute (IRBLleida) has awarded funding to a project to develop a test for the early detection of invasive pulmonary aspergillosis (IPA). The proposal was submitted by IRBLleida researcher David de Gonzalo and will have a budget of €20,000 for one year. The aim of this call is to provide financial support to implement new ideas that could potentially lead to the effective transfer of the knowledge generated to the healthcare and business sectors.

IP is a serious infection caused by a type of fungus called Aspergillus, which is found naturally in the air and the environment. In healthy people, breathing in spores from this fungus poses no risk, as the immune system effectively eliminates them. However, in people with weakened immune systems, such as cancer patients, transplant recipients, or those with serious illnesses, these spores can reach the lungs and cause a serious infection. This disease mainly affects lung tissue. Early detection and monitoring of vulnerable patients are key to improving the prognosis.

This call for proposals, together with a series of training courses, advice on innovation projects, subscription to networking sites and applications for intellectual property protection, forms part of the work plan of the IRBLleida Innovation Department, which is made possible in part thanks to the support of the Lleida Provincial Council. Specifically, the Lleida Provincial Council has offered IRBLleida more than €50,000 in innovation funding.

Specifically, the call for proposals for "Seed Innovation Projects (ISP2025) in Biomedicine" requires the submission of proposals that introduce new concepts in the field of biomedicine, exploring uncharted territory and addressing previously unevaluated health issues that could improve clinical practices and public health. New technologies and medical devices, innovative pharmaceutical solutions, leading applications of artificial intelligence in healthcare, advances in health information and communication technologies, and health innovations related to nutrition may be submitted.

Through this ongoing collaboration with IRBLleida, the Provincial Council of Lleida demonstrates its support for the advancement of science and technology.