FUNDACIO ACE

Their core work

Fundació ACE is a Barcelona-based clinical research centre specializing in Alzheimer's disease and dementia. They focus on early detection of Alzheimer's through biomarker panels, patient engagement models, and understanding the genetic pathways (particularly apolipoprotein-related) that drive disease progression. They also explore assistive robotics and social cognitive robotics as tools to support patients with mild cognitive impairment. Their work bridges clinical neuroscience with real-world patient care and emerging assistive technologies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

Fundació ACE's H2020 portfolio spans a relatively compact period (2015–2020), making dramatic shifts hard to detect. Their earlier involvement (2015–2016) included assistive robotics projects (RAMCIP, SOCRATES) alongside Alzheimer's clinical work, suggesting an initial interest in technology-aided patient support. By 2018, their focus narrowed toward preclinical Alzheimer's detection and biomarker research (IPACBIS), indicating a move deeper into early diagnosis and community-based screening.

They are moving toward earlier-stage Alzheimer's detection using biomarker panels in community populations, positioning themselves as partners for precision medicine and screening initiatives.

How they like to work

Fundació ACE prefers to lead — they coordinated 3 out of 5 projects, demonstrating confidence in managing consortia. With 45 unique partners across 13 countries, they maintain a broad European network rather than relying on a small circle of repeat collaborators. Their participation in IMI2 (Innovative Medicines Initiative) projects shows they are comfortable working alongside pharmaceutical industry partners in public-private partnerships.

Fundació ACE has collaborated with 45 distinct partners across 13 countries, reflecting a well-connected European network. Their IMI2 involvement means their network extends into the pharmaceutical and clinical trial ecosystem beyond purely academic circles.

What sets them apart

Fundació ACE combines deep clinical expertise in Alzheimer's disease with hands-on experience in assistive technology, a rare combination among dementia research centres. Their coordination of IMI2 projects signals credibility with both academic and pharmaceutical partners, making them a strong bridge between clinical research and drug development pipelines. For consortium builders, they bring both disease-specific authority and proven project management in public-private settings.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ADAPTED
  Largest funded project (EUR 333,757) investigating the genetic underpinnings of Alzheimer's via apolipoprotein pathology — directly relevant to drug target identification.
• MOPEAD
  IMI2 project coordinated by Fundació ACE focused on patient engagement models for Alzheimer's, demonstrating their ability to lead public-private pharmaceutical partnerships.
• IPACBIS
  Their most recent coordination, focused on community-based preclinical Alzheimer's screening using biomarker panels — signals their current strategic direction.