UNIVERSIDAD SAN MARTIN DE PORRES ASOCIACION

Their core work

Universidad San Martín de Porres (USMP) is a major private university in Lima, Peru, that contributes clinical and epidemiological expertise to European-Latin American health research networks. Their H2020 involvement centers on cancer biomarker research and diabetes/frailty interventions targeting vulnerable populations in low- and middle-income countries. They serve as a Latin American clinical partner, providing access to patient cohorts and regional health data that European consortia need for globally relevant studies.

What they specialise in

How they've shifted over time

USMP's earliest H2020 involvement (2017) was in lung cancer diagnostics through LungCARD, focused narrowly on blood-based tests. By 2019, their scope broadened significantly into two directions: hepatobiliary cancer biomarkers (ESCALON) and chronic disease management in aging populations (DIABFRAIL-LATAM). The shift shows a move from being a peripheral contributor in cancer diagnostics toward becoming a more active participant in EU-LATAM health networks tackling multiple disease areas with a strong LMIC focus.

USMP is expanding from single-disease cancer research toward broader chronic disease and aging research in Latin American populations — expect future involvement in EU-LATAM public health interventions.

How they like to work

USMP has never coordinated an H2020 project — they join as a participant or third party, contributing regional clinical expertise rather than leading consortia. With 42 unique partners across 23 countries from just 3 projects, they operate within large, geographically diverse consortia. This profile suggests they are valued for providing Latin American clinical access and patient data that European-led projects cannot obtain otherwise.

Despite only 3 projects, USMP has collaborated with 42 partners across 23 countries, reflecting participation in large international health consortia. Their network spans both Europe and Latin America, making them a connector between these two research ecosystems.

What sets them apart

USMP is one of very few Peruvian universities active in Horizon 2020, giving them a rare position as a Latin American clinical partner for European health research. They offer access to LMIC patient populations and health systems that are critical for projects requiring global validation of diagnostics or interventions. For any consortium needing a credible South American clinical site with EU project experience, USMP is an established option.

Highlights from their portfolio

• DIABFRAIL-LATAM
  Largest funded project (EUR 175,000) — scales an EU-developed diabetes/frailty intervention to Latin American LMICs, demonstrating USMP's role in translating European research to developing regions.
• ESCALON
  European-Latin American biomarker network for hepatobiliary cancers — positions USMP within a specialized cross-continental cancer research partnership.