The PharmaMar Foundation also awarded two grants for complementary training to fifth-year medical residents, aiming to enhance their specialized knowledge in small cell lung cancer and soft tissue sarcomas.
Madrid, November 26, 2024 – Recognizing science and scientific-medical advances, while highlighting their essential role in societal progress, was the central theme of the 2nd Argonauta Awards ceremony hosted by the PharmaMar Foundation yesterday in Madrid. These awards aim to once again honor individuals and projects that have significantly contributed to the development of medicine and healthcare. The event brought together leading figures from the national and international scientific and medical communities.
During the event, José María Fernández Sousa-Faro, President of the PharmaMar Foundation, remarked: “Valuing science is essential to fostering its growth and highlighting its influence on society. This year’s nominations not only showcased the quality and diversity of research projects but also demonstrated the commitment of the teams responsible for developing innovative solutions. With these awards, we seek to inspire researchers and physicians to explore new horizons that drive scientific research and improve healthcare.”
The ceremony featured awards in four key categories, each designed to recognize excellence in different areas of research and healthcare.
Basic Research Award: Presented to Dr. Ignacio Melero Bermejo, Co-Director of the Immunology and Immunotherapy Department at the Center for Applied Medical Research (CIMA), University of Navarra, for his contributions to translational cancer immunotherapy research, including strategies based on cells, genes, and monoclonal antibodies, as well as his pioneering work on antitumor immune response co-stimulation and biomarker identification to predict immunotherapy outcomes.
Clinical Research Award: Awarded to Dr. Ana Oaknin Benzaquen, Head of the Gynecological Tumors Unit at Vall d’Hebron Hospital and Vall d’Hebron Institute of Oncology (VHIO), for her groundbreaking work in transforming the treatment of gynecological cancers through personalized molecular therapies and immunological treatments. Additionally, Dr. Mariano Provencio Pulla, Head of Medical Oncology at Puerta de Hierro Hospital, was honored for revolutionizing lung cancer treatment with the introduction of neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy, leadership in prognostic and predictive markers in liquid biopsies, and pioneering the application of big data to analyze clinical and molecular patient data.
Best Clinical Case Award: Granted to Dr. Mar Galera López, Medical Oncologist at Doctor Peset University Hospital, for her innovative case study on diagnosing and treating clear cell sarcoma, a rare and challenging tumor. The study highlighted a significant clinical response following multiple therapeutic lines, emphasizing the importance of continued research into innovative treatments for this disease. The research was conducted at Gregorio Marañón Hospital under the guidance of Dr. Rosa Álvarez.
Best Young Researcher Award: Introduced this year to recognize outstanding oncology researchers under 42, this award went to Dr. Biola M. Javierre, Group Leader at the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute, for her expertise in studying genetically complex diseases, particularly autoimmune diseases and blood cancers, from an epigenetic perspective.
Additionally, two grants for complementary training in medical oncology were awarded to fifth-year residents to strengthen their expertise in managing cancers with limited therapeutic options. Dr. Rafael Buezas Pérez from Virgen del Rocío University Hospital will focus on small cell lung cancer, while Dr. María Palma Gómez from Gregorio Marañón University Hospital will specialize in soft tissue sarcomas.
The jury, chaired by prominent scientific figures such as Dr. Paco Sánchez Madrid, Dr. Javier Martín Broto, Dr. Mariano Provencio, and Dr. Blanca López-Ibor, underscored the importance of these awards in driving innovation and excellence in cancer research.
PharmaMar Foundation’s Second Year of Activity
The PharmaMar Foundation also reflected on its second year of activity, highlighting key achievements in fostering scientific dissemination, training, and recognition of research talent. Initiatives included the second edition of its scientific conference series, featuring 8 lectures with nearly 1,000 attendees; collaboration with the Spanish Association of Lung Cancer Patients (AEACaP) to bring medical knowledge closer to patients; support for the eSarcoma project at Gregorio Marañón Hospital; and partnerships with the Mari Paz Jiménez Casado Foundation to organize sarcoma-related training and awareness activities.
The event emphasized the importance of collaboration, with key stakeholders like Alberto Martínez, trustee of the Mari Paz Jiménez Casado Foundation, Dr. Rosa Álvarez, and José Antonio Tocino from AEACaP sharing insights into the collective efforts to enhance the impact of these initiatives on patients and the medical community.
About the PharmaMar Foundation
The PharmaMar Foundation is committed to promoting scientific research, education, and biodiversity conservation. It seeks to advance science and medicine through diverse initiatives, including public scientific lectures, and collaborates with institutions and organizations to disseminate specialized knowledge in health and science.