Our landmark “Translational Medicine Explained – TMex” 2025 course took place in Barcelona on 11-14 November with our most diversified participant cohort so far, and we absolutely loved it.
The 19 participants from 11 countries, including 14 participants from widening countries, spanned very different career stages and profiles: from PhD student to confirmed PI, project manager, neurosurgeon or business angel… We were also lucky to welcome 2 patient advocates and EUPATI fellows as participants to the course. This diversity greatly strengthened the main message of the TMex course: translational medicine is a team effort, and we need all stakeholders engaged to turn science into solutions for patients.
“I really enjoyed the course. It was really engaging and pushed me outside of my comfort zone. I had to talk to so many different people, some of them very skilled and successful and I actually enjoyed it.”
Antonina, Institute of Biology and Immunology of Reproduction, BAS, Sofia, Bulgaria
What is TMex? An intensive 4-day course to learn how research can be successfully translated from the laboratory to the clinic – from real-life scenarios presented by experts in the field and group assignments about the elements needed for successfully translating biomedical research into patient benefit. Before attending the 4-day course, our 8-hour e-learning course “Introduction to translational medicine” equipped participants with the essential knowledge to make the most of the course.
“The course was excellent and truly outstanding. One of the best parts was that research administrators could actively participate in all activities. Over the four days, I had a great opportunity to practically experience everything, from communication tasks to the medical device registration process.”
Justine, Riga Stradiņš University, Latvia
TMex is carefully designed to bring participants the following learning outcomes:
- Describe the key steps and questions to be addressed when translating scientific discoveries into medical products;
- Define the different stakeholders and multidisciplinary experts involved in translation and the importance of strong partnerships;
- Recognise the importance of collaborating with patients and demonstrate strategies for engagement;
- Examine key translational medicine bottlenecks and opportunities.
To achieve this, the course curriculum includes lectures led by experts in the field and as many games, interactive sessions and hands-on activities as possible, such as:
- The Repurpolis boardgame, developed by Rosan Vegter: navigate the complex journey of bringing a repurposing drug candidate to patients.
- VHIR researcher Ramón Martí Seves explained the rewarding journey from understanding a rare disease (TK2 deficiency) to successfully treating patients and getting the treatment approved by the FDA, with a strong focus on compassionate use.
- “Escape to the cloud” boardgame, developed by Sarah Morgan, where players need to solve a series of translational data challenges set initially by their PI to escape their postdoc office and reach the cloud… while learning about FAIR and open science!
- Isabel Huber, co-founder and CEO of Succipro, and Sarah Morgan, co-founder and CSO of Isoform Oncology, shared their journey as entrepreneurs in the biomedical field; the participants could then experiment the “Business Plan Canvas” tool using the case of Isoform Oncology!
- Ana Martins Ribeiro, Education Project Manager at VHIR, hosted a reflection session on careers in biomedicine that opened up participants’ perspectives on their careers.
With a 100% recommendation rate, we cannot wait to organise the next edition and celebrate a decade of TMex in 2026!
“TMex has been a transformative experience. The balance between science, practical activities, and patient-centred thinking gave me tools I can use immediately in my work. I highly recommend this course to anyone involved in translational medicine.”
Liron Meidan, Patient Expert & Medical Communications Specialist
A huge thanks to our expert speakers, co-organiser Vall d’Hebron Institute of Research (VHIR) – Vall d’Hebron Institut de Recerca, and supporter Fundación ”la Caixa”. Most importantly, heartfelt gratitude to our amazing participants who brought their energy and full engagement every day!
