The Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB Barcelona) (Catalan: Institut de Recerca Biomèdica; Spanish: Instituto de Investigación Biomédica) is a biomedical research institute located in Barcelona, Spain. It conducts multidisciplinary research to advance the understanding of cancer and diseases associated with ageing. Established in 2005 by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the University of Barcelona, it is based in the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) and is part of the CERCA network and the Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST).
IRB Barcelona hosts 30 research groups and nine technology platforms, with over 450 researchers representing 38 nationalities. Its research integrates molecular and cellular biology, structural and computational biology, and chemistry, with applications in proteomics, genomics, biostatistics, mass spectrometry, and advanced microscopy.
The director of the institute is Dr. Francesc Posas, and Dr. Joan Massagué serves as scientific advisor.
IRB Barcelona was founded in October 2005 following approval by the Generalitat de Catalunya and the University of Barcelona, with Dr. Joan Guinovart serving as the instituteâÂÂs first director. In its early years, IRB Barcelona launched its International PhD Programme, created its first spin-off company, Omnia Molecular, and inaugurated the Barcelona BioMed Conferences in 2006. The institute went on to establish collaborations with hospitals in 2008 and secured its first major European grants the following year, including an FP7 Coordinated Grant and an ERC Starting Grant.
Since its founding, the institute has created multiple spin-off companies including iProteos (2011), Inbiomotion (2011), Nostrum BioDiscovery (2016), Ona Therapeutics (2019), Gate2Brain (2020), and Nuage Therapeutics (2021), in addition to its first spin-off, Omnia Molecular (2006).
IRB BarcelonaâÂÂs research is organised around three major programmes:
IRB Barcelona hosts nine core technology platforms that support all research programmes and groups:
Researchers also have access to platforms at the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) and the University of Barcelona.
IRB Barcelona researchers have contributed to several notable scientific advances, including:
MAF Test
In 2025, IRB BarcelonaâÂÂs spin-off Inbiomotion, founded by Dr. Roger Gomis, introduced the MAF Test, a biomarker assay that helps oncologists identify which early-stage breast cancer patients are most likely to benefit from adjuvant treatment with bisphosphonates. The test, now implemented in several major Spanish hospitals, enables more precise and personalized therapy.
Discovery of DNA âÂÂbarcodesâ that reveal how blood ages
In 2025, researchers at IRB Barcelona and the Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG), led by Dr. Alejo RodrÃÂguez-Fraticelli, identified naturally occurring methylation patterns in DNA that act as âÂÂbarcodes,â revealing how blood ages over time. The study, published in Nature, showed that from around age 50, a small number of blood stem cell clones begin to dominate blood production, leading to reduced cellular diversity and increased vulnerability to disease. The findings provide a basis for early detection of ageing-related disorders and for exploring potential rejuvenation therapies in humans.
Predicting patient response to immunotherapy
In 2024, researchers at IRB Barcelona led by Núria López Bigas identified five independent factors that predict how cancer patients respond to checkpoint inhibitor immunotherapies. Published in Nature Genetics, the study found that tumour mutational burden, T-cell infiltration, TGF-ò activity, prior treatments, and tumour proliferation together determine patient outcomes, providing a framework to refine biomarker use and advance personalised cancer treatment.
Discovery of a mechanism underlying idiopathic autism
In 2024, researchers at IRB Barcelona led by Dr. Raúl Méndez and Dr. Xavier Salvatella uncovered a molecular mechanism that explains around 80% of idiopathic autism cases. Published in Nature, the study showed that loss of a small segment in the neuronal protein CPEB4 disrupts its ability to form dynamic condensates, impairing the expression of genes essential for brain development and offering new possibilities for targeted autism therapies.
Development of an antibody that targets metastatic stem cells
In 2022, researchers at IRB Barcelona led by Eduard Batlle, in collaboration with Merus N.V., developed MCLA-158 (Petosemtamab), a bispecific antibody that targets cancer stem cells by binding to the EGFR and LGR5 proteins. Published in Nature Cancer, the study showed that MCLA-158 blocks tumour growth and prevents metastasis in preclinical models, marking a key step toward therapies that selectively attack metastatic stem cells without harming healthy tissue.
Palmitic acid and metastasis
In 2021, a team led by Dr. Salvador Aznar Benitah at IRB Barcelona discovered that exposure to palmitic acidâÂÂa saturated fatty acid found in palm oilâÂÂenhances the ability of cancer cells to metastasize and leaves a long-lasting âÂÂmemoryâ that makes tumours more aggressive. Published in Nature, the study showed that this effect occurs through changes in gene expression and tumour innervation, and that blocking Schwann cells can prevent metastasis.
IRB BarcelonaâÂÂs governance structure includes the Board of Trustees, the Governing Board, and the External Advisory Board.
The instituteâÂÂs primary funding comes from the Generalitat de Catalunya through the Departments of Health and of Economy and Knowledge. Additional support is provided by competitive grants from national and European public agencies such as the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the Spanish Ministry of Science, as well as private institutions including the BBVA Foundation, La Caixa Foundation, Asociación Española contra el Cáncer, Cris contra el Cáncer, and the Mark Foundation.
IRB Barcelona also receives private donations from companies, foundations, and individuals. It is currently completing the âÂÂMetastasis Challenge,â a campaign to raise â¬5 million for metastasis research.