The ”la Caixa” Foundation has announced the results of the 2025 call for its CaixaImpulse programme, which supports innovative biomedical projects from research centres, hospitals, and universities across Spain and Portugal. This year, 31 projects have been selected from among 428 applications, with a total investment of 3.8 million euros aimed at accelerating the transfer of cutting-edge health innovations to patients.
Among the selected projects is the one led by Anna Roig, ICMAB-CSIC researcher at the Nanoparticles and Nanocomposites Group (NN), together with Thomas Meslier, in collaboration with the Centro de Oftalmología Barraquer. Their project focuses on developing a novel medical device for the treatment of dry eye, a condition that affects a large part of the global population, particularly women over 50 and patients with Sjögren syndrome. The project has received 150.000 € funding (corresponding to Phase 2 of maturity, according to the programme call).
An innovative solution for dry eye
Dry eye occurs when the eyes do not produce enough tears or when tears evaporate too quickly, leading to irritation, soreness, and pain. Current treatments mainly rely on artificial tears applied multiple times a day, which provide only temporary relief.
The team at ICMAB has designed a new device capable of delivering artificial tears throughout the day, ensuring sustained relief. Initial safety tests with healthy volunteers confirmed that the device is safe, comfortable, and easy to use. The technology is already protected in Europe and will undergo further clinical trials in patients with dry eye.
"The project, now supported by CaixaImpulse, will advance towards performance validation, regulatory approval, production, and commercialization, with the goal of providing patients with a more effective and convenient alternative to current treatments" says Anna Roig, PI of the project.
Supporting biomedical innovation
CaixaImpulse projects are evaluated by international panels of experts and receive between 50,000 and 500,000 euros depending on their stage of maturity (Phase 1, 2 or 3). In addition to funding, the programme provides training, mentoring, and strategic support to help researchers bring their innovations closer to the market.
In the words of Paola Isetta, Deputy Director of Fellowships, Research and Innovation at the ”la Caixa” Foundation: “The outcome of the 2025 CaixaImpulse call reaffirms the Foundation’s commitment to innovation in biomedicine and health. Through an investment of 3.8 million euros, the development of 31 projects in Spain and Portugal is being promoted with the aim of speeding up their arrival on the market to improve patients’ quality of life.”
The project led by Anna Roig at ICMAB is part of this exciting initiative, reaffirming the institute’s contribution to advancing innovative biomedical solutions with direct impact on people’s lives.
More
31 biomedical innovations that will drive the future of health - Blog CaixaCiència (Official announcement)
Health Innovation Projects - CaixaResearch (List of awarded projects)
Innovative device for dry eye - CaixaResearch (Project by Anna Roig and Thomas Meslier)
CaixaImpulse Programme description - CaixaResearch (CaixaImpulse Programme)