At the FERO Foundation, we are pioneers in translational research, a model that makes it possible to transfer laboratory results to clinical practice, enabling patients to benefit more quickly from scientific advances against cancer.
With the creation of the FERO Foundation in 2001, Dr Josep Baselga sought to promote translational research in Spain. At the time, it was a completely innovative concept that opened the door for basic science and clinical needs to come together. Translational research considers basic research and clinical research to be two inseparable practices, as they allow questions that arise in the clinic to be answered in the laboratory and, conversely, for laboratory findings to be rapidly transferred to patients.
Dr Josep Tabernero, Head of the Medical Oncology Department at Vall d’Hebron Hospital, Director of the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), and Chair of the FERO Foundation’s Scientific Advisory Committee.
This system accelerates the development of new drugs, contributes to early diagnosis of the disease, and enables patients to benefit quickly from new treatments. In this way, it bridges the gap that has always existed between the laboratory and clinical practice. For all these reasons, and with the aim of ensuring that advances in science and technology have an impact on health as quickly as possible, translational research is the future of the fight against cancer.
The physician-scientist is key to curing cancer.
Dr César Serrano, physician-scientist, winner of the 8th FERO Fellowship and Head of the VHIO Translational Sarcoma Research Group.
The physician-scientist is an essential figure in translational research, as their dual training allows them to be in the clinic and in the laboratory at the same time.
However, as Dr César Serrano points out, “being a physician-scientist is something that is difficult to see in Spain, because the training period is long, funding is needed to develop a project, and physician-scientists are not integrated into the national health system. Either you are 100% a doctor or 100% a researcher, but combining the two professions is still a utopia.”
One of today’s challenges is to strengthen this role and make it increasingly present in research centres and hospitals. The holistic vision of the physician-scientist, which spans from the molecular basis of the disease to the patient’s symptoms and progression, supported by an interdisciplinary team that brings different perspectives and solutions, is key to understanding the disease ever better and combating it more effectively.
The FERO Foundation is committed to translational research and young talent.
Currently, Spain invests 1.2% of GDP in R, compared to 2% for the European Community average and 3% for the United States, according to data from the Spanish Society of Medical Oncology (SEOM).
Given the need to invest in research, and in line with our commitment to promoting translational oncology research, at FERO we do our part by funding multiple initiatives, laboratories, and projects. As an example, we launch the FERO Fellowships twice a year, aimed at young researchers from national institutions or centres of excellence with a disruptive translational oncology research project.
At the FERO Foundation, we are one of the leading drivers of translational research in Spain. Throughout our history, we have awarded a total of 38 fellowships, and this year we continue to support young talent with the call for eight fellowships of €80,000 each and the extraordinary Dr Baselga fellowship of €300,000, in tribute to our founder.
The purpose of this initiative is to train new talent in the field of oncology, prevent brain drain abroad, and promote the rapid transfer of scientific advances to patients.
Dr Laura Soucek, winner of the 3rd FERO Fellowship and Head of Mouse Modelling of Anti-tumour Therapies at the Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO).
Find out more about the FERO Fellowships at https://ferocancer.org/investigadores/.
