Health and Food Safety Commissioner from the European Commission visits CNIC

The Health and Food Safety Commissioner from the European Commission, Vytenis Andriukaitis, visited Carlos III National Centre of Cardiovascular Research (CNIC) accompanied by the Minister of Health, Social Services and Equality, Dolors Montserrat; by the Secretary of State of Investigation, Development and Innovation, Carmen Vela; by the Executive Director of the Spanish Agency of Consumption, Food Safety and Nutrition, Teresa Robledo; by the General Director of the Carlos III Health Institute, Jesús Fernandez Crespo; by the Manager of CNIC, Alberto Sanz, and by the CNIC Basic Clinical Research Directors, Borja Ibañez and Vicente Andrés.

The Commissioner of Health and Food Safety of the European Commission got to know first-hand the principal research projects that are being developed at the center, like the Metocard study; the development of the polypill, a drug that combines in just one pill the three medications that should be taken after a heart attack, or the TAN SNIP project, which CNIC develops in collaboration with other international centers and seeks to develop tools to go one step further in the prevention and establishment of the prognosis of the cardiovascular disease through non-invasive diagnostic image

The Commissioner was also informed about the cooperation model between the Spanish Government and the Pro CNIC Foundation, formed by 14 of the most important Spanish private companies and foundations, whose ultimate goal is to translate the generated knowledge into a benefit for society and a tangible return for the Spanish public sector.  Despite the crisis, Acciona, BBVA, Endesa, Fundación Abertis, Fundación Mapfre, Fundación Mutua Madrileña, Fundación Ramón Areces, Fundación Repsol, Gas Natural Fenosa, Inditex, La Caixa, Prisa, Banco Santander and Telefonica, have continued to support CNIC’s research programs. Through their Board of Trustees, the companies not only provide funds, but also take part in decision making and organization of the center. In this way, the private sector is involved, along with the CNIC, in the fight against cardiovascular diseases.