The Sant Pau Research Institute (IR Sant Pau) has been selected in the CaixaImpulse 2025 call by the “la Caixa” Foundation to promote an innovative project in the field of cardiology. This project is led by Dr. Dabit Arzamendi and Dr. Abdel Hakim from Sant Pau Hospital, together with Dr. Oscar Camara from Pompeu Fabra University (UPF).
Procedures such as valve replacement or left atrial appendage closure can cause leaks when implanted devices do not optimally fit the patient’s anatomy. These leaks are serious, as they can lead to heart failure, stroke, or damage to blood cells, with a strong impact on quality of life. Currently available devices are standardized and manufactured in a limited number of sizes, which often prevents a precise fit.
The project proposes a new strategy based on personalized medicine, using advanced 3D modeling and virtual simulations to design custom-made devices tailored to each patient. The methodology involves creating a digital model of the heart, assessing the extent and behavior of the leaks, and developing specific solutions that allow for more effective and lasting sealing. This approach is expected to reduce risks such as clot formation, avoid repeated interventions, and improve recovery.
In an initial phase, the team will validate the devices through simulations and imaging techniques, with the goal of optimizing the designs and demonstrating their effectiveness under realistic conditions. The ultimate purpose is to improve clinical outcomes and provide greater quality of life for patients with complications following the implantation of cardiac devices.
According to Dr. Dabit Arzamendi, “Our goal is to bring truly personalized solutions into the clinical setting that respond to each patient’s anatomy. We believe this approach will reduce serious complications and significantly improve recovery and quality of life for affected individuals.”
The CaixaImpulse 2025 call aims to accelerate the arrival of innovations in biomedicine and health to the market, supporting projects that address unmet clinical needs and fostering the creation of science-based products, services, and companies.
In this edition, the “la Caixa” Foundation has allocated €3.8 million to promote 31 biomedical projects from research centers, hospitals, and universities in Spain and Portugal. The call received a total of 428 applications, evaluated by international panels of experts in health innovation.
The selected projects are distributed across different areas: 14 in the field of therapies, 12 in medical devices, 4 in diagnostics, and 1 in digital health. Depending on their level of maturity, initiatives receive funding ranging from €50,000 to €500,000 and can advance to later phases as they reach development milestones.
In addition to financial support, CaixaImpulse offers participating teams specialized training, mentorship, and expert guidance in key areas such as technology transfer, intellectual property, exploitation strategies, and access to investors.
Since its launch in 2015, CaixaImpulse has supported 263 projects, contributed to the creation of 54 spin-offs, and helped raise more than €180 million in additional funding from investors and competitive calls.
