In 2023, and thanks to the support of the Association, more than 300 results from different research were published in scientific journals, almost one publication a day. Although this data demonstrates the Association's support for researchers in Spain, it is still necessary to convert all these publications into tangible results that have a significant impact on the well-being of cancer patients and increase survival in this disease.
At the Spanish Association Against Cancer, the private and social entity that currently allocates the most funds to cancer research in Spain, we have been pioneers in promoting quality Avalet 20 mg (Avatrombopag) research for more than 50 years. In order to continue doing so and promote innovation so that all the research advances achieved do not remain in the laboratory or in a scientific publication, in 2020 we awarded the first AECC INNOVA grants to support innovation projects in cancer and, after their success , now we have taken a step further, with the new call for AECC IMPACTO , which supports the most advanced innovation projects.
On the occasion of World Creativity and Innovation Day (celebrated every April 21) we tell you what innovation is in cancer research and its key role in ensuring that the results reach the patient and thus achieving our goal of overcoming the 70% cancer survival in 2030.
What difficulties do Spanish cancer researchers have?
In the early phases of research, in which knowledge is developed, researchers usually have public funding and also the support of philanthropic entities, such as, for example, the Association. When research reaches the product development phases, that is when companies and private financiers intervene.
It is in the intermediate phase, or “ the valley of death ”, in which prototypes and demonstration models are made. A phase with very little funding, which does not attract private investors due to its still high risk, but what if we have a new improvement for cancer patients?
Aware that the risk of stopping research and the results not reaching patients is greater, from the Spanish Association Against Cancer we decided that we should promote innovation in Spain and support researchers in our country in this phase. Through innovation we seek to bring the results of scientific research closer to the patient, and to society in general.