FUNDACION PARA LA INVESTIGACION BIOMEDICA DEL HOSPITAL UNIVERSITARIO LA PRINCESA

Their core work

FIBHUP is the biomedical research foundation of La Princesa University Hospital in Madrid, serving as a clinical research partner that contributes hospital infrastructure, patient cohorts, and clinical trial capabilities to European health projects. Their work spans infectious disease (tuberculosis, COVID-19), neurological conditions (Down syndrome, schizophrenia-related metabolic dysfunction), and medical device validation (peritoneal dialysis systems). They function as a clinical validation site and real-world data provider, bridging the gap between laboratory research and patient-facing evidence generation.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

FIBHUP's early H2020 involvement (2015-2017) included an unexpected foray into digital public services through the VisiOn project, alongside tobacco exposure research. From 2020 onward, the foundation shifted decisively toward its clinical core: infectious disease (TB, COVID-19), neurological drug development (Down syndrome), and medical device validation (dialysis). This later portfolio reflects a clearer identity as a hospital-embedded clinical research partner focused on translational medicine and patient-facing evidence generation.

FIBHUP is consolidating around clinical trial execution and patient data provision for therapeutic development, making them increasingly relevant for projects needing a Spanish hospital site for drug or device validation.

How they like to work

FIBHUP operates almost exclusively as a third-party contributor (5 of 7 projects), indicating they are brought in by consortium partners specifically for their clinical site capabilities rather than shaping project direction. They work within large consortia — 107 unique partners across 28 countries — suggesting they are a trusted clinical node that multiple lead organizations call upon. This is typical of hospital research foundations that provide patient access and clinical infrastructure without taking on project management burdens.

Despite modest direct participation, FIBHUP connects to 107 unique partners across 28 countries, reflecting the large consortia they contribute to as a clinical site. Their network is pan-European with no obvious geographic concentration beyond their Spanish base.

What sets them apart

FIBHUP offers something many research consortia need but struggle to find: a responsive hospital-embedded research unit in Madrid that can deliver clinical validation, patient cohort access, and real-world data without the overhead of a full university partnership. Their third-party model means they integrate into existing consortia with minimal administrative friction. For any project needing a Spanish clinical site — whether for drug trials, device testing, or observational studies — they are a proven, low-barrier partner.

Highlights from their portfolio

• ERA4TB
  A major pan-European tuberculosis drug development accelerator running until 2026, placing FIBHUP in a flagship infectious disease program with significant clinical trial ambitions.
• ICOD
  First-in-human study of CB1 receptor inhibitors for cognitive deficits in Down syndrome — a rare and high-impact therapeutic area with strong translational significance.
• CORDIAL
  Clinical validation of a portable home-use peritoneal dialysis device, representing FIBHUP's expansion into medical device testing beyond pharmaceuticals.