Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation

What Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation does

Sant Joan de D\u00e9u Research Foundation (Fundaci\u00f3 de Recerca Sant Joan de D\u00e9u) is a private non-profit research foundation established in 2002 and registered in Catalonia, Spain (Registry of Private Foundations No. 1743). It manages the research and innovation activities of the Sant Joan de D\u00e9u healthcare network, which includes Hospital Sant Joan de D\u00e9u Barcelona, Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de D\u00e9u, Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de D\u00e9u (IRSJD), BCNatal, and the Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona. The foundation's research output reached 525 active projects, 406 clinical trials and observational studies, and 816 publications totaling an impact factor of 5,563 in 2023.

Its technology portfolio spans an MIA-accredited Advanced Therapies Platform for gene, cell, and immunotherapy manufacturing; the fetaLife artificial placenta prototype (21 days experimental survival, 13+ months postnatal survival); the TinyBrains photonic neuroimaging platform for congenital heart disease; 3DSurgHELP and BIOMOD for VR/AR-driven and finite-element surgical planning; the EXORAPI pediatric exoskeleton for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy; SOFTBONE bone cement; SAFE-Infusion IV safety devices; RGS@home VR neurorehabilitation; ORACIA AI-powered aphasia companion; ACADOM telemedicine; Hospital L\u00edquido 4.0 Big Data pediatric decision support; and multiple clinical trials (SPIOMET4HEALTH for PCOS, Betaina for infant obesity).

The foundation operates a grant-funded non-profit model with no commercial pricing. Its approximately 34 active innovation projects draw funding from the European Union (Horizon 2020, EU4Health, EIT Health, FEDER, Next Generation EU), Spanish national agencies (ISCIII, Ministerio de Ciencia e Innovaci\u00f3n, Agencia Estatal de Investigaci\u00f3n), and Catalan regional entities (Generalitat de Catalunya, ACCI\u00d3, AGAUR, SOC), supplemented by donations. As a non-commercial entity, end-users are pediatric and adolescent patients receiving research-driven care; B2B counterparties are European healthcare institutions accessing its MIA-accredited advanced therapies, scientific-technical services, and consortium-led clinical trials.

Name

Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation

Legal name

Fundació de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu

Website

https://sjdrecerca.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Short description

Sant Joan de D\u00e9u Research Foundation is a Catalonia-based non-profit foundation managing biomedical research, clinical trials, and innovation in pediatric, maternal, and mental health across the Sant Joan de D\u00e9u hospital network, serving children, adolescents, and young adults across Europe.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Biomedical Research

NAICS

Research and Development in Biotechnology (except Nanobiotechnology) (541714), Biological Product (except Diagnostic) Manufacturing (325414), Medical Laboratories (621511), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731), Pharmaceutical Preparations (2834), Biological Products, (No Disgnostic Substances) (2836)

akta.pro primary industry

Rare Pediatric & Congenital Disorder Therapies (HLAIAIAN)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cell Therapy Enabling Technologies (gene editing, cell engineering, delivery methods) (HLAAABAL), Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine Practices (HLAFAJAF)

Keywords

• Pediatric biomedical research
• Advanced therapy production
• Digital health platforms
• Clinical trial services
• Medical device innovation

Headquarters

HQ city

Esplugas De Llobregat

HQ country

Spain

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Sant Joan de D\u00e9u Research Foundation conducts pediatric, maternal and mental health biomedical research and produces and exports advanced therapies (gene therapy, immunotherapy, cell therapy) under MIA pharmaceutical-laboratory accreditation. It develops digital health platforms, virtual-reality-based rehabilitation, pediatric medical devices, 3D-printed surgical models, and runs clinical trials across 525 active research projects.

Product overview

Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation operates a broad portfolio of over 34 innovation projects spanning digital health platforms, medical devices, pharmaceutical/clinical trials, and social innovation programs. Core platforms include Hospital Líquido 4.0 (a Big Data-driven pediatric care system), RGS@home (virtual reality neurorehabilitation), and ORACIA (AI-powered aphasia rehabilitation). Medical devices include pediatric exoskeletons (EXORAPI), rehabilitation robotics (Step & Play, TrainR4U), bone cements (SOFTBONE), and 3D printing services. The foundation also conducts clinical trials (Spiomet4Health, Betaina), operates scientific-technical services integrated within the Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu, and provides management services including ethics committee oversight (CEIM), administration, knowledge management, and communication.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD): Research institute under the foundation managing research groups and scientific activities
• Advanced Therapies Platform (Plataforma de Teràpies Avançades)

Products and services

• Advanced Therapies Platform (Plataforma de Ter\u00e0pies Avan\u00e7ades) MIA-accredited pharmaceutical laboratory producing and exporting advanced therapies (gene therapy, cell therapy, immunotherapy) for pediatric and rare-disease patients to public and private European institutions.
• Hospital L\u00edquido 4.0 Digital expert system for comprehensive and personalized pediatric patient care, aggregating clinical, genomic, biomedical imaging, and patient-generated (mHealth) data with Big Data analytics for clinical decision support and research.
• RGS@home (Rehabilitation Gaming System) Virtual-reality neurorehabilitation platform providing individualized training to recover motor and cognitive function for stroke patients, adapted from the hospital-validated RGS@clinic for home use.
• ORACIA (Artificial Companion for Aphasia) AI-powered artificial companion for home-based rehabilitation of people with aphasia, combining speech/language therapy, physical therapy, and cognitive training on a digital platform.
• ACADOM (Home Care Continuity Telemedicine) Telemedicine system for rehabilitation therapy continuity at home, using intelligent systems and voice recognition to suggest therapy itineraries that adapt automatically to pediatric patient evolution, including those with cognitive and speech difficulties.
• EXORAPI Pediatric Exoskeleton Pediatric exoskeleton for gait therapy designed for children with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy to improve quality of life and delay physical deterioration.
• Walking o'Clock Device that measures the absolute angle of body segments to control standing and gait for pediatric hemiparesis patients; currently in commercialization stage.
• Step & Play Low-cost robotic system enabling remote rehabilitation of gait patterns, designed for pediatric patients with remote-control capability.
• Spiomet4Health Phase II multicenter clinical trial evaluating a novel treatment for adolescents and young women with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), the first therapy in development for this condition affecting 5\u201310% of women worldwide.
• TinyBrains Neuroimaging Platform Photonic-based neuroimaging research platform to understand mechanisms causing brain damage in congenital heart disease patients, using advanced optical imaging technologies.
• SOFTBONE Bone Cement New softer bone cement formulation for vertebral fractures in osteoporosis patients, designed to reduce secondary fracture rates from 40% to 5% by better matching bone biomechanics.
• SAFE-Infusion (Relink & AirVolt) Two IV-therapy safety devices: Relink for secure tube connections and AirVolt for detecting and removing air bubbles in IV lines, cloud-monitored for safer therapy in hospital and home settings.
• 3DSurgHELP Virtual/augmented reality and 3D printing platform for surgical planning of complex pediatric oncology surgeries and creation of surgical simulation models for training.
• BIOMOD Advanced biomechanical 3D finite-element models from medical images optimized with tissue mechanical-property data for planning maxillofacial surgery (cleft lip and palate) and applicable to other maxillofacial interventions.
• Biomodels-Impresi\u00f3n 3D Unit 3D printing service unit providing high-quality biomedical 3D solutions, positioning SJD Hospital as a national and international reference with open knowledge generation.
• BASE 3D / FUSE3D Research project on material deposition technologies for 3D printing with hot semi-molten or paste materials for plastic, metal, or mixed materials applicable to biomedical use.
• QuirofAM Research project on 3D additive manufacturing in healthcare for surgical practice improvement, covering surgical models, guides, reconstruction implants, and bioactive implants for tissue generation.
• e-Pedia SJD Mobile application for SJD Hospital nurses providing clinical documentation, assessment scales with evaluation, action sequences, content tables, calculators, parenteral route information, and instructional videos.
• Digital Platform for Psychotic Disorder Detection Digital platform for detection, communication, and intervention in adolescent and young adult populations with or at risk of psychotic disorders, using game-design and video game-inspired elements.
• PIVIT - Pediatric Infrastructures for Viral Therapy Clean-room Biocontainment Level 3 laboratory infrastructure for production of lentiviral vectors for therapeutic use, particularly pediatric immunotherapy.
• COGNIVITRA Digital therapeutic combining cognitive vitality and physical training at home using ICT to integrate formal medical and informal caregiver actions for patients at risk of neurodegenerative diseases.
• FaceRehab Facial paralysis rehabilitation solution using a therapist-controlled digital application program for home-based facial exercise rehabilitation.
• RHYTHM European project improving quality, safety, and accessibility of medical imaging for children, adolescents, and young adults, addressing justification, optimization, and education in CT, hybrid imaging (SPECT/CT, PET/CT), and radiotherapy planning.
• Hope4Kids Joint action to strengthen and harmonize pediatric palliative oncology care across Europe, including mapping, guidelines, pilot interventions, education programs, and a European network.
• INTERACT-EUROPE 100 European cancer training program deploying interdisciplinary cancer (ISCT) curriculum across 100 cancer centers in Europe, with SJD Hospital contributing pediatric oncology expertise.
• TrainR4U Ultrasound training program combining online learning, hands-on practice, and robot-assisted co-manipulation where remote mentors guide learners through shared robotic control.
• Hospital Libre de Sujeciones (Restraint-Free Hospital) Quality initiative creating a service ensuring care free from mechanical and chemical restraints across all Parc Sanitari SJD services through technology-enabled adaptation of care spaces.

Quantifiable outcome

• 21 days survival in liquid incubator experimental model
• +3 more outcomes

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability5 records

Feature9 records

Partnerships

53 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NeuroInova (Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Leading partner in ORACIA project for aphasia rehabilitation using artificial companion.
• Clinica Recuperação Funcional da Trindade (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Portuguese rehabilitation clinic providing clinical validation for ORACIA aphasia therapy.
• Definition 12 (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022Digital health company contributing to ORACIA platform development.
• Instituto Pedro Nunes (Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Leading partner in FaceRehab project for facial paralysis rehabilitation app development.
• Centro de Medicina Fisica e Reabilitação - Fisioermesinde (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Portuguese rehabilitation center providing clinical expertise for FaceRehab project.
• Think Digital (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Digital solutions company providing technology expertise for FaceRehab application.
• Centre National de Rééducation Fonctionnelle et de Réadaptation - Rehazenter (Luxembourg)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2021Luxembourg rehabilitation center participating in FaceRehab clinical validation.
• Tada Medical AB (Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Medical technology company leading SAFE-Infusion project developing Relink tube connection device.
• Tessen Solutions Limited / Gasgon Medical (Ireland)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Medical device company collaborating on AirVolt air removal technology for IV therapy safety.
• Remote Signals Limited (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021UK company providing cloud monitoring technology for SAFE-Infusion devices.
• Centro Hospitalar e Universitário de Coimbra E.P.E. (Portugal)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 April 2021Portuguese university hospital providing clinical validation for SAFE-Infusion IV therapy technology.
• Uppsala University (Sweden)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020European partner in SOFTBONE project for developing new bone cement for osteoporotic fractures. Project number 20519.
• University Hospital of Heidelberg (Germany)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020European clinical partner in SOFTBONE project for bone cement clinical trials.
• Medical University of Lodz (Poland)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2020European clinical partner in SOFTBONE project for international clinical validation.
• Eodyne Systems (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Technology company collaborating on RGS@home project for virtual reality rehabilitation system.
• Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Research institute consortium member for RGS@home rehabilitation technology development.
• MedtronicminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019Medical technology company participating in RGS@home project for neurorehabilitation solutions.
• Uppsala University Hospital (Sweden)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019European clinical partner in RGS@home project for stroke rehabilitation.
• Fondation de l'Avenir pour la Recherche Médicale Appliquée (France)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019French research foundation participating in RGS@home project.
• Centro Hospitalier Universitaire à Limoges (France)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019French university hospital participating in RGS@home clinical validation.
• Saddle Point Science Ltd (UK)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019UK technology partner in RGS@home project for rehabilitation software.
• Vodafone (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2016Telecommunications partner providing technology infrastructure for Hospital Líquido 4.0 digital health project.
• ALAMO (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2016Technology partner in Hospital Líquido 4.0 project for digital health solutions.
• i2CAT (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 15 October 2016Digital innovation center providing internet technologies expertise for Hospital Líquido 4.0.
• Escribano Mechanical & Engineering (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Engineering company in EXORAPI consortium for pediatric exoskeleton development.
• Eurecat (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Technology center participating in EXORAPI for additive manufacturing in medical devices.
• Centro de Automática y Robótica CSIC-UPM (Spain)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Spanish research center providing robotics expertise for EXORAPI pediatric exoskeleton.
• Duchenne Parent Project EspañacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016Patient organization providing advisory support for EXORAPI pediatric exoskeleton project.
• Hospital Sant Joan de Déu BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2016SJD Children's Hospital Barcelona contributing rehabilitation expertise to EXORAPI project.
• EIT HealthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEuropean Institute of Innovation and Technology Health initiative supporting multiple projects including TrainR4U, SOFTBONE, and RGS@home with combined funding exceeding €650,000.
• Fundació CIM UPCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch foundation leading BASE3D consortium and collaborating on 3DSurgHELP project for additive manufacturing in healthcare.
• Marsi BionicscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company leading EXORAPI consortium for pediatric exoskeleton development for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.
• Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearch institute collaborating on RGS@home project and ACADOM project for rehabilitation technology.
• Instituto Pedro Nunes (Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese research institute collaborating on FaceRehab, ORACIA, and COGNIVITRA projects for digital rehabilitation solutions.
• VodafoneminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology partner collaborating on Hospital Líquido 4.0 project for digital health transformation.
• Hospital Regional Universitario de MálagaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpanish regional hospital collaborating on 3DSurgHELP project for pediatric surgical simulation.
• Corporació Sanitària Parc TaulícoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealthcare corporation collaborating on Diabetes Excellence Unit project for personalized pediatric diabetes care.
• Suara CooperativaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSocial cooperative collaborating on Post-acompanya'm project for youth mental health transition support.
• Universitat de Vic - Centre d'Estudis Socials i Sanitaris (CESS)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity center collaborating on Post-acompanya'm project for social and health intervention research.
• NeuroInova (Portugal)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPortuguese neuroscience company collaborating on COGNIVITRA cognitive stimulation project.
• European Cancer Organisation (ECO)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCoordinator of INTERACT-EUROPE 100 project for multidisciplinary cancer care training across 100 European centers.
• Itchycoo-Labs (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerTechnology company providing solutions for ACADOM telemedicine rehabilitation project.
• Verbio (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpeech recognition technology provider for ACADOM home rehabilitation project.
• Omada Interactiva (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDigital health company collaborating on ACADOM intelligent therapy system.
• InOssia AB (Sweden)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish medtech company providing bone cement innovation for SOFTBONE project.
• Uppsala Innovation Centre AB (Sweden)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSwedish innovation center supporting SOFTBONE bone cement commercialization.
• Servicio Madrileño de Salud (Spain)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMadrid health service providing clinical validation site for SOFTBONE bone cement.
• BASE3D ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmerging research cluster coordinated by CIM UPC for additive manufacturing technology development including FUSE3D project.
• Pediatric Cancer Center BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialized pediatric oncology center and part of Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona, leading multiple research projects.
• Hospital Sant Joan de Déu BarcelonacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary pediatric hospital providing clinical setting for foundation research activities and staff.
• Parc Sanitari Sant Joan de DéucoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMental health and social healthcare center affiliated with foundation, hosting multiple research projects in psychiatry and rehabilitation.
• Institut de Recerca Sant Joan de Déu (IRSJD)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerIntegrated research institute hosting foundation's scientific-technical services and research projects.
• BCNatal (Barcelona)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMaternal and child health center collaborating on fetaLife artificial placenta project for extreme premature infants.

Scale indicators17 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Evelina London Children's Hospital / Guy's & St Thomas' NHS Foundation Trust: Major UK pediatric research hospital with active EU-funded research portfolios and pediatric clinical trials infrastructure; partial overlap with SJD in pediatric translational research.
• Karolinska Institutet: Swedish medical university with a major pediatric research arm and active EU consortium participation (co-partner on RGS@home and SOFTBONE with SJD); comparable in biomedical R&D output and EU grant leadership.

Regional players

• Institut de Recerca contra la Leucèmia Josep Carreras (IJC): Catalan/Spanish biomedical research foundation focused on hematological malignancies; comparable as a Spain-based non-profit research foundation with cell therapy and clinical trial activities in a pediatric-adjacent niche.

Broad incumbents

• The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids): Leading Canadian pediatric hospital and research institute; comparable as a fully integrated pediatric research/clinical organization with strong publication output and translational programs.
• Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (CHOP): Top U.S. pediatric academic center with one of the world's most active children's research institutes; particularly strong in cell and gene therapy, mirroring SJD's Advanced Therapies Platform focus.
• Boston Children's Hospital: One of the largest U.S. pediatric academic medical centers with a major research arm; directly comparable to SJD as a top-tier pediatric research and advanced therapy institution, though much larger and U.S.-focused.
• Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin: One of Europe's largest university hospitals with a significant pediatric research portfolio; comparable as a multi-specialty academic center with strong EU funding capture and clinical trial infrastructure.

Direct peers

• Murdoch Children's Research Institute: Australia's largest child health research institute, embedded in The Royal Children's Hospital; comparable in scale (~525+ projects analog), pediatric-only mandate, and translation of lab science into clinical trials.
• Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust: Major UK pediatric hospital and biomedical research center with extensive clinical trials, gene therapy programs, and EU-funded research portfolios — a very close functional peer to SJD Research Foundation in scope and European positioning.
• Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital (OPBG): Italian pediatric hospital and research center (IRCCS) with extensive gene and cell therapy programs; a strong Southern European peer with comparable pediatric specialty focus and ATMP capabilities.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fundaci-sant-joan-de-d-u

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Sant Joan de Déu Research Foundation