BASE4 BIOSCIENCES S.L. is the new spin-off of the Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau), created to promote translational research and the application of precision biology in the field of women’s health. The initiative is led by Dr. José Manuel Soria, head of the Genomics of Complex Diseases Research Group at IR Sant Pau, and Dr. Ángel Martínez, genetic analysis expert and member of the same group, together with Pol Cervera, a specialist in technological development. The three are founding members of the new company.
BASE4 was born out of more than a decade of genomics and transcriptomics research conducted at IR Sant Pau, which has demonstrated a direct connection between gene expression in the blood and the functional state of organs. The project also involved Dr. Joan Carles Souto from the Thrombosis and Hemostasis Research Group at IR Sant Pau, who contributed to the technology’s development.
Building on this scientific foundation, the team has developed a pioneering algorithm capable of identifying transcriptomic anomalies and predicting the biological age of tissues according to sex and the organ analyzed. This patented technology makes it possible, from a simple blood sample, to analyze the blood transcriptome—that is, the expression of more than 17,000 genes—to determine with great precision the biological age of tissues and identify the genes that accelerate or slow down their aging.
This knowledge is at the core of BASE4’s products and opens the door to personalized interventions to maintain optimal health and slow aging. Dr. José Manuel Soria, co-founder and Chief Scientific Officer of BASE4, explains that “our technology allows us to understand the real biological state of tissues at the molecular level, long before clinical signs appear. This opens a new era in preventive medicine, where we can act before functional deterioration of the organs occurs.”
“We have developed artificial intelligence models differentiated for men and women—an essential approach to reducing the gender gap in health and offering truly personalized recommendations,” adds Dr. Ángel Martínez.
Historically, women were excluded from clinical trials until the late 1990s, leaving a gap in medical knowledge that continues to affect millions of women around the world. This knowledge gap means that current medical and artificial intelligence models do not reflect female biological diversity. As a result, many women receive clinical guidance based on patterns derived mostly from men, limiting professionals’ ability to effectively anticipate and treat issues related to fertility, ovarian function, or menopausal transition.
International data show that women are diagnosed four years later than men in more than 700 diseases, and they spend 25% more of their lives in poor health. “Most of today’s artificial intelligence models that aim to characterize human biology have been trained primarily with male data, without accounting for the specific features of female biology—especially during the transition from fertility to menopause,” explains Pol Cervera, CEO of BASE4.
“This bias means that millions of women do not understand the causes of their symptoms or receive incorrect diagnoses and treatments, generating an economic burden exceeding one trillion euros for public health systems worldwide,” adds Pol Cervera.
The creation of BASE4 reinforces IR Sant Pau’s commitment to knowledge transfer and to the development of science-based companies as a way to bring research results to society. The institute holds a 10% equity stake in the new spin-off and contributes its expertise, intellectual property, and the support of its Technology Transfer and Innovation Unit, which has guided the project from the early stages of technological validation to its market launch.
BASE4’s business model combines the provision of advanced transcriptomic testing with the creation of a preventive health and wellness center for women, whose first location will be in Barcelona. In the medium term, the company plans to expand progressively to other European cities, with the goal of making its technology a global benchmark in personalized medicine.
At the same time, BASE4 has begun discussions with investors to launch a funding round aimed at accelerating the company’s growth and bringing its technology to market.
