Throughout 2025, the Paediatric and Perinatal Research Hub has consolidated a period of growth and transformation, marked by significant progress in citizen engagement, infrastructure development, internal organization, and strategic planning.
One of the main achievements was the establishment of the KIDS Group (Young Persons’ Advisory Group, YPAG), which has enabled the structured inclusion of children’s and adolescents’ voices in research. The group has become a dedicated space for active participation, integrating young people’s perspectives into the design and development of scientific projects.
In the area of infrastructure and innovation, progress continued on the BRIDGE project, including the definition of the development plan for the Pediatric Clinical trial Unit at the 13th floor of the Children’s Hospital and the launch of communities of practice. This initiative has strengthened interdisciplinary collaboration and fostered interaction among research groups, with the aim of enhancing knowledge generation and transfer.
In terms of research resources, 2025 marked the initial steps towards establishing a biobank of healthy children, adolescents and young adults, supported by the relevant ethical and regulatory approvals. A comprehensive mapping of sample needs was completed, along with the definition of collection workflows, and the conceptual foundations were laid for a future communication and awareness strategy on the value of biobanks and control samples.
In parallel, work advanced on defining a service portfolio for external partners, both public and private, aimed at structuring and facilitating scientific collaboration and knowledge transfer.
The year also saw the expansion of the Hub through the incorporation of the Maternal and Fetal Medicine group, leading to its redefinition as the Paediatric and Perinatal Research Hub. This change reflects a broader, more integrated vision of maternal and child health research.
This period coincided with the conclusion of the Paediatric Research Strategic Plan (PERP) 2020–2025, as well as the launch of the process to define the new strategic framework that will guide the Hub’s next phase.
Overall, these developments consolidate the Hub as a distinctive structure within the scientific organization of VHIR and the Vall d’Hebron Campus, reinforcing its role as an integrated platform for paediatric and perinatal research with a strong focus on health impact.
