We share a common purpose: to generate knowledge and develop solutions for a healthcare system that is accessible,
efficient, and equitable for all.
IRIS drives cutting-edge research to address major health challenges, transforming scientific knowledge into tangible solutions that improve people's health and strengthen the healthcare system.
We promote advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and bioengineering to address health challenges with a transformative outlook. Through smart systems, we are able to improve disease diagnosis and prediction, personalize treatments, and equip healthcare professionals with advanced tools.
We address health challenges with a humanistic perspective. Technology and research are only meaningful if they enhance the lives of patients and empower healthcare professionals.
We work to ensure our projects have a direct application in real patients, hospitals, social entities, and healthcare services. Our focus is on achieving concrete, useful, and practical results.
We foster collaboration across diverse disciplines and stakeholders in the sector to create innovative and comprehensive solutions. We work in partnership with healthcare professionals, institutions, and companies to drive progress in applied research.
This transition builds on over 30 years of research and technology transfer, marking the beginning of a new era of expanded action and collaboration across the healthcare ecosystem.
Take a look at our journey of transformation in health technology research:
The vision takes shape. Pioneers Pere Caminal and Josep Anton Planell envision a small, autonomous research centre focused on improving human health through engineering. In 1992, the UPC formalizes this innovative structure, laying the foundations of what would later become CREB.
CREB is born. Initially recognized in 1992 as the Institut de Cibernètica, the centre is renamed the Centre de Recerca en Enginyeria Biomèdica (CREB) in 1999 and joins the Catalan Government’s Xarxa IT. CREB becomes the first UPC research centre integrating multiple research groups.
CREB becomes one of the first accredited members of the TECNIO Network. This recognition, granted by ACCIÓ highlights CREB’s excellence in technology transfer and its role in bringing cutting-edge research closer to the productive sector.
Strengthening strategic alliances. CREB strengthens its leadership through key partnerships, co-founding the Research Institut Sant Joan de Déu and the Catalonia Health Tech Cluster, fostering collaboration between academia, healthcare and industry.
A new collaborative space. CREB moves to its new headquarters at ETSEIB, designed as an open innovation hub for researchers, clinicians, companies and students.
Xartec Salut is launched. CREB leads the creation of Xartec Salut, a network connecting over 100 research groups and institutions to accelerate health technology transfer and impact.
IRIS builds on CREB’s legacy. After more than 30 years of pioneering work, the centre transforms into the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health (IRIS), a UPC institute that brings together 12 accredited research groups and over 170 researchers.
