Public Consortia of Biomedical Research Networking Centers

The activity of the Consortia CIBER (Public Consortium of Biomedical Research Networking Centers) and CIBERNED (Public Consortium of Biomedical Research Networking Centers - Neurodegenerative Diseases) can be consulted on their respective websites at the following URLs:

The most relevant activities of each scientific area of the CIBER Consortium are described below:

► Area of Bioengineering, Biomaterials and Nanomedicine (CIBER-BBN):

Participation in the European project initiated in 2020 Graphene Flagship Core Project 3 (within the Graphene Flagship). The project aims to secure the position of European research in the technological revolution associated with graphene, with the participation of 160 academic and industrial entities from 23 countries.

► Thematic Area of Pathophysiology of Obesity and Nutrition (CIBEROBN):

Initiation of two studies: - Nutrition Program. Seroprevalence of COVID-19 in the PREDIMEDPLUS cohort, and COVID-19 and Impact of Confinement.

Initiation and coordination of an international study on Eating Disorders and Obesity.

► Thematic Area of Liver and Digestive Diseases (CIBEREHD):

The outstanding work of Dr. Jordi Bruix, outgoing Scientific Director, has allowed the growth of our research and the consolidation of the structure of the area. The use of the international cohort of variceal hemorrhage led by Dr. Hernández Gea and in which different groups in the area participate, has allowed the production of numerous manuscripts that will be key in the treatment of this serious complication of cirrhosis.

► Area of Respiratory Diseases (CIBERES):

National CIBERESUCICOVID project funded by the ISCIII COVID-19 Fund, code COV20_001100, for the study of risk factors, personalized prognosis and one-year follow-up of SARS-CoV-2- infected patients admitted to Spanish Intensive Care Units (UCIs).

► Thematic area of Rare Diseases (CIBERER):

A tissue bioengineering product based on the use of patient cells corrected through genomic editing has been designated as an orphan drug by the EMA for the treatment of Recessive Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa; the sponsor is CIBERER and the studies were carried out by the group of F.

Larcher and M. del Río (CIEMAT, UC3M, IIS-FJD and CCST).

► Area of Diabetes and Associated Metabolic Diseases (CIBERDEM):

It has been described that patients with diabetes and obesity lose the normal regulation by ingested succinate levels. This impaired response recovers after treatment with bariatric surgery (Diabetes Care 2020). This line of research to understand the role of succinate in the pathophysiology of diabetes and obesity may enable the development of new clinical and therapeutic tools for the treatment of these diseases. Several projects in this line have been funded by the ISCIII and the La Caixa Foundation, resulting in two patents.

www.ciberisciii.es https://ciberned.es/

► Area of Mental Health (CIBERSAM):

CIBERSAM continues to contribute highly significant findings regarding the role of genetic variants related to multiple psychiatric pathologies, publications of guidelines for family members and patients, and results related to innovations in therapeutic options. In this special year, CIBERSAM has focused on analyzing the impact of the pandemic on mental health, both in the general population and in healthcare personnel. This resulted in 82 publications on COVID-19 and the funding of four competitive projects.

► Area of Epidemiology and Public Health (CIBERESP):

National study of sero-epidemiology of SARS-COVID-2 infection in Spain (ENE-COVID Study). Coordination and participation in the MINDCOVID project funded through the COVID-19 call of the ISCIII, in collaboration with the CIBERSAM area and other networks. Project “Cohort CIBER-SNS” of the IMPaCT infrastructure call, with collaboration of the whole CIBER and coordinated by CIBERESP.

► Area of Cardiovascular Diseases (CIBERCV):

CAR-VID study on cardiac sequelae after SARS-CoV-2 infection; multicenter trial on cardiac glycogenosis due to genetic variants in PRKAG2; and the bB- ECHO project, which studies the efficacy of esmolol in the identification of

► Area of Cancer (CIBERONC):

Participation in the genomics platform for the diagnostic study of tumors of unknown origin and poorly characterized lymphomas. Important advances in research on breast cancer, lymphomas, colon cancer, lung cancer and immunotherapy.

► Thematic area of Frailty and Healthy Aging (CIBERFES):

H2020 DIABFRAIL-LATAM project coordinated by CIBERFES and direction of the EIT-HEALTH project POSITIVE, which will evaluate the effectiveness of a technological platform for the detection, intervention and non-invasive monitoring at home of frail elderly people or those at risk of becoming frail.

PUBLICATIONS Q1 % D1 % CIBER

BBN 763 509 66.7 189 24.8

CV 757 441 58.3 157 20.7

DEM 362 269 74.3 100 27.6

EHD 687 394 65.02 202 33.33

ER 628 459 73.09 196 31.21

ES 785 390 61.13 156 24.25

ESP 1,367 764 55.89 347 25.38

FES 249 153 69.86 51 23.29

OBN 747 454 60.78 114 15.26

ONC 711 456 64.13 238 33.47

SAM 852 516 60.56 197 23.12

CIBERNED 691 457 66.1 216 31.2

Q: quartile; D: decile.

In addition, in 2020 researchers of the different CIBER groups filed 20 new priority patent applications, IPRs (3 concerning software), 6 licenses, 20 signed CDAs and 22 signed MTAs.

As for CIBERNED, it has a total of 12 active patents/patent families, thus continuing with its commitment to promote translational research. Throughout 2020, researchers of the different groups filed 8 new patent applications, of which 5 were divisional; in addition, 4 PCT (Patent Cooperation Treaty) extensions were filed. Among the 691 scientific articles published, 12 publications in journals with an impact factor (IF) higher than 15 (The Lancet, Nat. Rev Neurol., Cell Stem Cell, Nat. Cell Biol, Alz & Dem) and principal authorship of CIBERNED members stand out; these papers report significant advances in several areas such as new biomarkers in biological fluids, genetics of Parkinson’s disease, clinical trials, prognostic models of Creutzfeld- Jakob disease, and the role of stem cells in neurodegenerative diseases.

Annual Report 2020. Consortia and Foundations