The SOMMa Connect 2026 event, held on September 22 and 23 at the PRBB, brought together researchers, companies, investors, and institutions to explore new avenues for collaboration and knowledge transfer. As members of the alliance, ICMAB actively contributes to promoting collaboration between centres of excellence and strengthening the innovation and knowledge-transfer ecosystem.
The event was opened by Amparo López, Vice President of SOMMa and delegate of the Knowledge and Technology Transfer (KTI) working group, who welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of strengthening connections between excellent research and the innovation ecosystem.
Over the course of two days, the auditorium of the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB) hosted project presentations, investment sessions, roundtable discussions, and networking opportunities, all centered around a common goal: bringing the knowledge generated at centers of excellence closer to those who can help transform it into new technologies, companies, and solutions for society.
Events such as SOMMa Connect are particularly valuable because they provide a space to establish new contacts, learn about success stories, share experiences, and identify opportunities for collaboration. One example was the project-pitching sessions, where EBC projects were presented to investor panels made up of VC professionals from the Spanish ecosystem.
They also provide an opportunity to stay up to date with the trends and initiatives shaping the future of the relationship between academia and industry, an essential aspect of accelerating knowledge transfer and generating social and economic impact.
The event featured talks from representatives of various government bodies, including CDTI and the Directorate-General for Innovation of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, as well as from several European, philanthropic, and private organisations involved in funding innovation, technology transfer, and scientific entrepreneurship. These sessions provided first-hand insight into the opportunities and challenges that will shape the coming years within the academia–industry collaboration ecosystem, as well as some announcements regarding potential future funding calls.
ICMAB participation
In addition to attending the event, ICMAB's Knowledge Transfer Unit head, Alfonso del Rey, contributed to its organisation by participating in the meetings of the Knowledge Transfer Working Group. Representing ICMAB, both Alfonso and Miquel Galindo of the same unit attended, together with Dr. Coral Herranz, Innovation Manager and driving force behind a knowledge-transfer project involving the Sublimator developed by the FunNanoSurf group. Also participating was Dr. Rosario Núñez, founder of the startup Labs in Love, which is developing BNCT-based cancer therapies, together with the company’s CEO, Dr. Cristina Aguilera.
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SOMMa Connect 2026 impulsa nuevas conexiones entre ciencia, industria e innovación - SOMMa
