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29/01/2025

IR Sant Pau to Lead the SPAiN Project to Transform the Treatment of Autoimmune Neuropathies in Spain

The Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) will lead the innovative SPAiN project (Spanish Partnership for Autoimmune Neuropathies), a national initiative aimed at transforming the knowledge and care of autoimmune neuropathies (ANs), a group of rare diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system.

For its development, the project has been awarded €1,634,710.00 through the “PMPER-24 – Research Projects on Rare Diseases” call by the Carlos III Health Institute, as part of the Joint Missions of the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities. A total of €20 million has been allocated to rare disease research projects, resulting in the approval of eight research projects across Spain, two of which are based in Catalonia: the IR Sant Pau project and another led by the Germans Trias i Pujol Research Institute (IGTP). This last project aims to create a national network to tackle the challenges of type 1 myotonic dystrophy, in collaboration with the INCLIVA Health Research Institute at the University Clinical Hospital of Valencia.

Under the leadership of Dr Luis Querol, researcher of the Neuromuscular Diseases Group at IR Sant Pau and neurologist at the Neuromuscular Unit of the Neurology Department at Sant Pau. The IR Sant Pau plays a central role in this national network. It brings together 17 reference centres across 9 autonomous communities. This leadership reflects the institute’s excellence as a neuromuscular reference centre in Spain and its commitment to translational research.

ANs, a group of rare diseases affecting the peripheral nervous system, pose a significant medical challenge due to their difficult diagnosis and the limitations of current treatments. These conditions include Guillain-Barré syndrome, chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), and multifocal motor neuropathy. Although treatable, these diseases present diagnostic and therapeutic challenges that can compromise patients’ quality of life.

“These diseases pose numerous challenges. Their causes remain largely unknown, diagnosis is difficult, and while therapeutic options exist, they are limited and urgently need updating. SPAiN was created with the aim of transforming our understanding of these conditions and improving the lives of those affected,” explains Dr Querol.

The project will leverage cutting-edge technologies such as genomics, proteomics, and antigenomics to identify more precise biomarkers and explore new therapeutic pathways. These tools will enable personalised treatments and improved patient monitoring, thereby reducing the impact of these diseases on patients’ lives.

A direct impact on healthcare

One of SPAiN’s key pillars is ensuring that scientific advancements reach patients equitably across the entire country. Thanks to the network led by IR Sant Pau, any patient, regardless of their location, will be able to benefit from the expertise and resources of the country’s leading reference centres.

“Autoimmune neuropathies impact a small but dispersed population, making the creation of a national network crucial. At Sant Pau, we have worked to ensure that SPAiN reaches every corner of Spain, providing more equitable care and opportunities for patients to participate in cutting-edge research,” emphasises Dr Querol.

IR Sant Pau’s role as a national and international leader

IR Sant Pau’s leadership in this project is built on its long-standing role as a reference centre for autoimmune neuropathies. For years, the institute has been involved in international networks such as IGOS (International Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outcome Study) and INCBase (International CIDP Database). Now, by coordinating SPAiN, it seeks to drive advancements that will establish Spain as a global reference in this field.

“This project is a unique opportunity to showcase the expertise accumulated at Sant Pau and to expand our impact through a national network that is also connected to major international consortia. This demonstrates our institute’s commitment to scientific excellence and to improving patients’ lives,” states Dr Querol.

An investment in the future of personalised medicine

SPAiN will not only lay the foundations for new therapies and better diagnostics, but it will also enhance our understanding of the mechanisms behind these rare diseases. The project will run over the next two years, making use of existing resources and expanding the research and healthcare network.

“Although autoimmune neuropathies are rare diseases, their consequences can be devastating. SPAiN aims to break down barriers, creating tools that not only enhance diagnosis but also enable the development of more effective and accessible treatments,” concludes Dr Querol.

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