Fundación GAEM

What Fundación GAEM does

Fundación GAEM is a private non-profit foundation founded in 2006 and headquartered at the Parc Científic de Barcelona, Spain, that operates as Spain's first patient-founded organization dedicated exclusively to biomedical innovation in multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). The foundation's core function is a research project accelerator that identifies, selects, and nurtures innovative MS/NMO therapeutic projects—spanning cellular therapies (TolDec EM/NMO), neuroprotective small molecules (OCS-05), biomarkers, medical devices, and digital diagnostics—through what it terms acceleration from lab to patient. As of the latest disclosed data, six projects are active in the accelerator, with portfolio metrics citing 100,000+ molecules in development, 10,000+ biomarkers, and 50+ prototypes in earlier-stage pipelines. GAEM is governed by a Patronato (board) led by founder and president Vicens Oliver, with a Scientific Committee directed by Pablo Villoslada and an advisory roster drawing from ISGlobal, Leukos Biotech, Biokit, and the European Commission.

The foundation runs no commercial product line and instead monetizes impact through a diversified non-profit funding stack: individual membership contributions (€10–€250 tiers with monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual cadence), one-time donations via website and the Teaming micro-donation platform, institutional grants (Obra Social La Caixa, Generalitat de Catalunya – Departament de Drets Socials, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Diputació de Barcelona), and corporate sponsorships from pharmaceutical companies including Merck and Sanofi. All contributions are tax-deductible under Spanish law (up to 80% individual deduction; 40% corporate). Distribution is direct-to-consumer via a Spanish/Catalan website, email newsletter, multi-platform social media presence (Instagram, Facebook, X, LinkedIn, YouTube), and an archive of more than 100 webinars and podcasts ("EM en línea," "EM Café"), supplemented by clinical guides such as the Merck-sponsored "Guía clínica para nuevos diagnosticados."

The organization employs approximately 9 people and serves two primary constituencies: (1) people affected by MS and NMO and their families/caregivers, who receive education, community support, and access to research information, and (2) MS researchers and biotech projects that receive funding, mentorship, and acceleration support. Strategic partners include core research and clinical institutions (Hospital Clínic de Barcelona, IDIBAPS, Hospital del Mar, Universitat de Barcelona, Universitat Internacional de Catalunya, Societat Catalana d'Immunologia, Sociedad Española de Neurología), patient federation FEEM Catalunya, ONCE, and digital health portfolio company Tensor Medical (AI tool that has reached 4,000+ MS patients). Recognized repeatedly between 2012 and 2020 by regional bodies including the Spanish Neurology Society, Fundación Merck Salud, BBVA's Territorios Solidarios, and Fundació Farmaindustria's Somos Pacientes award.

Name

Fundación GAEM

Legal name

FUNDACIÓN GRUPO DE AFECTADOS DE ESCLEROSIS MÚLTIPLE

Website

https://fundaciongaem.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fundación GAEM is a Barcelona-based non-profit foundation (founded 2006) that accelerates biomedical research projects for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, serving MS patients, families, and researchers through its project accelerator, patient education programs, and institutional and corporate funding partnerships.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Nonprofit Health Research Foundation

NAICS

Voluntary Health Organizations (813212), Grantmaking Foundations (813211), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

Services-Social Services (8300), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Health & Medical Research Grantmaking Foundations (BPAGAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Disease-Specific Research & Support (e.g., Cancer, Diabetes, ALS) (BPAGACAA), Grantmaking & Philanthropic Funds (Institutional Donors) (BPADAOAB)

Keywords

• Multiple sclerosis research
• Biomedical research funding
• Patient advocacy foundation
• Neurological disease support
• Nonprofit health foundation

Headquarters

HQ city

Barcelona

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Membership/Socios: Monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, or annual contributions from individual members. The foundation promotes regular giving as the primary sustainable revenue stream for funding research projects.
2. One-time Donations: Individual donations without recurring commitment. Available through the website donation forms.
3. Corporate Partnerships: Support from pharmaceutical companies (Merck, Sanofi), healthcare organizations, and businesses. Corporate sponsors contribute financially while gaining association with the foundation's mission.
4. Institutional Grants: Funding from public institutions including La Caixa Obra Social, Ajuntament de Barcelona, Generalitat de Catalunya, and other government bodies.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fundación GAEM is a non-profit foundation that funds, selects, and accelerates innovative biomedical research projects aimed at finding a cure for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica. It complements research funding with patient education resources, community awareness campaigns, and online programming (webinars, podcasts) for patients, families, researchers, and healthcare professionals. It does not sell commercial products, but channels member contributions, donations, corporate sponsorships, and institutional grants into its research accelerator and outreach activities.

Product overview

Fundación GAEM is a non-profit foundation that does not develop or sell commercial technology products. Instead, it operates as a research acceleration and patient empowerment organization focused on multiple sclerosis (MS) and neuromyelitis optica (NMO). Its activities include: (1) identifying, funding, and accelerating innovative biomedical research projects through its project accelerator; (2) providing patient information resources including the "Guía clínica para nuevos diagnosticados" (clinical guide for newly diagnosed patients); (3) producing scientific dissemination content through presentations, webinars, EM en línea series, EMcafé sessions, and the "Patografías gráficas" visual collaborative project; and (4) running community engagement initiatives such as the "Historias con EMpuje" storytelling campaign and the Manifesto for accelerating MS research. The foundation does not offer a software-as-a-product platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Biomedical Research Accelerator (MS Innovation Accelerator) Selects, funds, and accelerates innovative biomedical research projects for multiple sclerosis and neuromyelitis optica, covering cellular therapies, biomarkers, medical devices, and digital diagnostic tools. Active portfolio includes TolDec EM/NMO cellular therapy, OCS-05 neuroprotective treatment, neuroimaging biomarkers platform, mitochondrial dysfunction biomarkers, an early diagnosis blood test kit, and spinal cord electrical stimulation therapy.
• Guía clínica para nuevos diagnosticados (Clinical Guide for Newly Diagnosed Patients) Clinical guide providing information and guidance for individuals newly diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, sponsored by Merck. Designed for MS patients and their families seeking reliable medical and lifestyle information at the point of diagnosis.

Quantifiable outcome

• 4,000+ patients helped by AI diagnostic tool (Tensor Medical)
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Parc Cientific de BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHost institution where GAEM is located, providing access to the broader scientific research ecosystem and facilities.
• Societat Catalana d'Immunologia (SCI)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerScientific partner organization representing immunology researchers in Catalonia, supporting research collaboration.
• Sociedad Española de Neurologia (SEN)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish Neurology Society, providing scientific legitimacy and collaboration opportunities in neurology research.
• Universitat Internacional de Catalunya (UIC)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity partner providing academic collaboration and research expertise.
• Universitat de BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor university partner providing research collaboration and academic credibility.
• ONCEminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish organization for the blind, collaborating on accessibility and disability issues relevant to MS patients.
• TeamingminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMicro-donation platform enabling group giving for GAEM supporters.
• Tensor MedicalcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAI diagnostic tool developer for MS prognosis. GAEM has publicized their work; Tensor Medical has helped 4,000+ MS patients.
• Hospital Clinic de BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeading hospital providing clinical research collaboration and expertise in MS treatment.
• Hospital del MarminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerBarcelona hospital collaborating on MS research and patient care.
• IDIBAPScoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAugust Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute, providing research infrastructure and expertise.
• Federacion d'Entitats d'Esclerosi Multiple de Catalunya (FEEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCatalan MS patient federation collaborating on advocacy and research.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• International Progressive MS Alliance: Global research-funding collaboration focused on progressive forms of MS, with multiple national MS organizations as members. Comparable to GAEM as a dedicated MS research funder and convener of cross-institution research, though operating internationally rather than nationally.
• Federación Española de Esclerosis Múltiple (FEDEM) / Esclerosis Múltiple España (EME): Spanish national federation of MS patient associations, coordinating advocacy, services, and research support across Spain. The most direct domestic peer to GAEM in mission, with overlapping national stakeholder relationships and partially overlapping research and advocacy scope.

Broad incumbents

• National Multiple Sclerosis Society (NMSS): One of the largest MS-focused nonprofits globally, funding research, providing patient services, and advocating for the MS community. Comparable to GAEM as a disease-specific patient-driven funder and advocacy organization, but with vastly greater scale and U.S. scope.
• ALS Association: Major U.S. non-profit funding ALS research, advocacy, and patient services. Comparable as a disease-specific research funder and patient-advocacy organization, but operating at a substantially larger scale and in a different neurological disease.
• Multiple Sclerosis International Federation (MSIF): Global umbrella organization linking MS societies and foundations worldwide, focused on research funding, advocacy, and international collaboration. Directly comparable as a larger, multi-country research-funding peer in the same MS mission space.
• Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research: Large patient-founded foundation funding Parkinson's research, with a well-developed translational funding model. Comparable to GAEM in patient-led funding architecture, portfolio approach to research projects, and disease-specific mission, though at much greater scale and in a different disease.
• MS Society (UK): U.K. charity funding MS research, providing services, and running advocacy campaigns. Comparable to GAEM in mission and patient-led governance model, though operating at a substantially larger scale in a different geography.

Others

• Cancer Research Institute (CRI): Non-profit funding immunology and immuno-oncology research with a translational grant model. Comparable to GAEM as a science-driven, project-based research funder with a strong scientific committee structure, though focused on a different therapeutic area.

Regional players

• Esclerosis Múltiple Catalunya (FEM Catalunya): Catalan MS patient organization providing rehabilitation, social services, and advocacy in Catalonia. Comparable as a regional MS-focused nonprofit that GAEM partners with through FEEC, but with a service-delivery rather than research-acceleration focus.

Emerging players

• The Myelin Project: International non-profit funding research on myelin repair and remyelination, with direct relevance to MS. Comparable to GAEM as a smaller, research-funding foundation in the MS/remyelination niche, with a more international but narrower scientific focus.

Market position

Strengths1 record

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/fundaciongaem
• YouTubeyoutube.com/@fundaciongaem
• Facebookfacebook.com/FundacioGaem
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundaci-gaem
• Instagraminstagram.com/fundaciongaem

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles18 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Fundación GAEM