Catalan biotechnology

The Catalan Aelix achieved 11.5 million euros to create a vaccine against AIDS

Aelix Therapeutics

Aelix Therapeutics, the company created the first development consortium Hivacat HIV treatments, has secured funding of 11.5 million euros earmarked for their research to create a therapeutic vaccine immunogen -from HTI-, “the first one you can cure infection in a patient. ” In investing, led by Ysios Capital (venture capital specialized in life sciences based in Barcelona), participated the equity manager of La Caixa, Caixa Capital Risc, and the US fund Innovation Johnson & Johnson. Aelix Therapeutics is led by renowned scientists: its founders are Dr. Bonaventura Clotet, Josep Maria Gatell, Christian Brander and biotechnology entrepreneur Jordi Naval.

Besides the medical challenge of this operation (more than 36.9 million people have HIV in the world), its characters include a major landmark in science model of excellence in Catalonia: first, a project It involves cutting edge science (Can Ruti and hospital Clinic), local industry (Esteve), public capital (research budgets Generalitat, Government and European Union), philanthropic (Obra Social La Caixa) and private (Ysios, Caixa Capital Risc) has He has been able to attract international capital (Johnson & Johnson). “It is an example of the contribution of all actors in the Catalan scientific industry. This is already happening in Tel Aviv or Boston, and now in Barcelona, ​​”says Josep Lluís Sanfeliu, Ysios Capital partner.

Aelix working on a therapeutic vaccine. That is, “retrains the patient’s immune system. There are a dozen companies in the world with different approaches to it, all in early stages, “says Jordi Naval. “It’s a hot topic, working from different angles, and the data is good.” Aelix vision anticipates fewer side effects in patients and significantly reduced the cost of treatment. “This is our aim, still have to prove it, some time before the product reaches the market,” he added.

With the money earned now, Aelix be reached until 2019 to carry out studies to assess the safety and efficacy in infected patients, equivalent to Phase II clinical study. He has so far tested in animals, and later this year will begin testing in healthy volunteers and patients. “Then, depending on the results, we will think how to complete the trial with the phase III (involving thousands of patients in various countries is different scale), if investors, or a pharmaceutical incorporated”.

Hivacat is a consortium of public-private research created in 2006 by two research centers in more developed AIDS and international reference, the AIDS Research Institute IrsiCaixa-Hospital Universitari Germans Trias i Pujol-Can Ruti (who runs Bonaventura Clotet ) and the Department of Infectious Diseases and AIDS of Hospital Clínic de Barcelona (Josep Maria Gatell).

In 2009 the Esteve pharmaceutical joined the Obra Social La Caixa and the Generalitat, through the departments of Health and Economy and Coneixement, and the Clinic Foundation. Hivacat coordinator is the researcher Christian Brander, Harvard hired by the Generalitat Icrea program. Since its founding twenty years ago, IrsiCaixa has received 3.1 million euros from the Obra Social La Caixa.

Hivacat has launched eight lines of research addressing major obstacles in the development of HIV vaccines, both preventive and therapeutic. “One of the projects is the therapeutic vaccine candidate HTI. In 2014 came to a point that needed a high volume of investment and decided to form a spin-off that acquires the rights and seeks private investment, “says Naval, companies with experience in the health sector and current director of the Foundation Bosch i Gimpera).

Ysios participated in the development of the business model and has led the investment round (the bottom Ysios Biofund II provides 3.75 million) with Caixa Capital Risc, a regular partner in the main operations of the sector, and Johnson & Johnson Innovation. The operation has been advised by the law firm RCD. Aelix joined his advice to Karen Wagner, Ysios; Jose Antonio Mesa, Caixa Capital Risc; Jordi Naval, co-founder and a representative of JJDC. The company currently has a team of four people in the Parc Cientific Barcelona.

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Plensa statue in Miami

The giant head has lived a year and a half in Chicago

Jaume Plensa statue (Chicago)

In his first appearance, now just over three years ago, this gigantic head of almost twelve meters high, creating the Catalan Jaume Plensa, emerged from the water at the beach in Rio de Janeiro, in front of the Christ of Corcovado and scanning the bread Sugar. For those things of art, city of wind and icy winters long and was then installed in a central location in Chicago.

Despite the appreciation of the locals -like it or not, nobody is going unseen- Awilda you move again 18 months later. He goes in search of the Miami Heat.

This monumental piece took -equivalent to four floors-story home in the Millennium Park in the metropolis of Illinois in June 2014. He came to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Crown Fountain, a permanent composition of Jaume Plensa located in the same enclosure that opened in 2004.

The Crown Fountain, turning it into a national icon and benchmark consists of two glass towers -15.2 meters each- where images of a thousand Chicago residents are projected. The initiative was formally called commemorative portraits 1004. This was because Awilda traveled together with other colleagues, smaller and make the bags while her. Paula will go to Washington-to the National Portrait Gallery- while Agnes and Laura return to Europe to participate in an exhibition at the Museum Max Ernst, near Cologne (Germany), confirmed yesterday the same Jaume Plensa by telephone.

Awilda stays in the United States. The acquired Jorge Perez, head of the real estate firm The Related Group, which yield at least a couple of years the Museum Park for display. His final home seems to be the Perez Art Museum of the city of Florida.

The artist takes a more positive view of this temporal experience, located in the key qualifying place in Chicago, at the intersection of Madison Street and Michigan Avenue. At this junction, emphasizes, “it is where the numbers change from north to south, is the city Ecuador”. Hence it has made an impact among the inhabitants of the great architectural city and its visitors.

The figure, composed of a dozen pieces, began to dismantle Monday and take several days to complete the operation.

In social networks they have already begun to appear reviewed their stay and go. There are mixed feelings. Some say they feel relief because they felt intimidated, but begins to dominate an opinion Awilda affection.

“It is a nice symbol that takes you from the busy loop (elevated train) to a meditative space,” wrote the tourism specialist Kym Spilker. “I feel calm and gives me peace and community,” Stephanie interjected photographer Bassos chicagoist.com on the website.

“People realize that a piece like when you go,” says Plensa. “In his absence the sculptor adds they will miss and will realize what they appreciated. When they ask what is this? But the disappearance, observed the gap and give an extraordinary value. ”

If the 1,000 citizens reflected in the two glass towers are ordinary people, Awilda is too. Like all figures Plensa, his inspiration comes from a real person. In this case, a girl who was twelve at the time, and neighboring Dominican origin of Barcelona.

“I’m always inspired girls of eight, twelve or fourteen years, sometimes slightly higher but with something particular as an idea for the future. I see the future in women, “remarks the talk.

As in other compositions, Awilda has his eyes closed. Not that I want to see the beautiful surroundings, but tries to provoke in the viewer’s search for inner beauty.

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Barcelona girl saves a kangaroo

Catalan becomes famous in Australia to save a kangaroo

Barcelona girl saves a kangaroo

A Barcelona girl has become famous these days in Australia thanks to their heroism. Laura Sanchez Peregrin, a marine biologist, and some friends managed to save a wallaby from drowning at a beach in New South Wales. Several Australian and British media, including The Sydney Morning Herald and The Daily Telegraph echoed the “vicissitudes” of this Catalan, which she tells us in the first person as follows:

“On Monday I took the day off. It was too hot and was the laboratory to the bun. I called some friends. Come and dive. The sea was flat, no wind (which rarely happens where I live). ‘Perfect conditions’. The boat is small, 4,5 m., But it takes us everywhere. We plan to go to Red Rock, 20 minutes Arrawarra. This is on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia, Sydney seven hours. Five who I live here and can not complain ago. I am a marine biologist and live in paradise.

We put the boat in the water, parked the car and go. We spent the break point, where surfers do their magic tricks. We left the bay. And there, one kilometer from the coast, we see that floating thing. I swear on my head which is a seal. But no. As we approach we realize that it is a kangaroo. A swamp wallaby, corrects my friend Ian, the owner of the boat.

Engines stopped. Take pictures of marsupial. In all my years in the water, both inside and outside, swimming with sharks and surfing with dolphins, this is the weirdest thing I’ve ever seen. What do we do? The animal is exhausted. Nothing to us, pretty desperate (or so it seems). Well have to help him, I say. Or what? We try to help. Ian and Jesse try to grab. It weighs about 30 kg. It is impossible velociraptor claws have not, the following. And it is very defensive. We tried and tried, and no way. We go, there’s nothing we can do, natural selection will take care of it. We headed to our destination.

We’ve had two minutes at full speed. Then Ian stop the engine. We looked: ‘No, we can not go there to help. ” We all agree. We headed back to the animal. Again, it’s nothing to us. We devised the plan. Ian and Jesse have to turn it around in the water, grab the legs, upload it to the boat and tie it well to avoid the bundle. I have to put a towel on her head. It sounds easy. It is not, but luckily out to first. With towel on head, male wallaby relaxing in the middle seat. And it seems to have given him a heart attack, because for a few minutes not moving anything. I uncovered the head. It moves so much. He’s not dead, ‘all good’. We headed to the beach.

We stopped engines, untie and we took the towel from her head. Jesse floor of the boat with the marsupial in arms. It lets go. The animal moves away and stops at the beach. Breathe for a couple of minutes. And so suddenly he starts to bounce onto the grass and leaves, like the wallabies in general. No goodbye or anything.

We are happy. We looked at each other and smiled. We hit all five. ‘Let’s go diving ya’

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Ferran Adrià defends meat “quality” and “moderate” form

The media chef believes important to “work to the experts” and considered to have been a “poorly explained” warning

Ferran Adrià The Chef

Chef Ferran Adrià today defended flesh “quality and moderately” is eaten, when asked about the report of the World Health Organization on cancer risk by ingestion. “I will continue to eat meat moderately, very good quality,” he said in remarks to Efe Catalan chef, although asked to be left “work to the experts” considered to have been a “poorly explained” warning.

Adrià has indicated that it is known that “everything we eat will affect our health”, which has advocated that rule of “logic” and the products are consumed moderately. The Catalan chef, considered one of the best chefs in the world, explained that everyone thinks that “we must eat natural products” and what most do not know, for example, is that tomatoes we eat “is not natural” because it is a variety of the original that comes from the Andes.

This has been said before in Gijon inaugurate the exhibition “Innovation Space”, a traveling interactive space developed by Ferran Adrià in collaboration with Telefonica, which will be open from tomorrow.

During the inauguration, Adrià has said that the cuisine in Spain is experiencing “the best time in its history” and it is being incorporated into many “wonderful” young people.

“I see the Spanish cuisine as ever, the quality is amazing,” he stressed while also underlined the role of Asturias, which is “the most globally in their environment.”

Adrià has suggested that the tourism sector, together with the food industry, catering and food distribution, accounting for 27 percent of national GDP.

“The car” has been pulled in the last four years is tourism,” he said before remembering that around six million visitors come to Spain to enjoy its gastronomy.

Ferran Adrià has abounded in the importance of education linked to new technology, a discipline that the Internet “is changing the history of mankind”. “In Spain sounds a little Chinese and is a very big problem. They take us ten years ahead,” he emphasized.

The chef explained that the future will be education “on demand” over the Internet and the latest developments in this field has allowed “the intelligence of the human being in a hundred years has doubled.”

In this context, he referred to the Bullipedia, a tool for professionals containing coding kitchen the last 50 years and used to educate and inspire chefs. Thus, it will be considered an educational project that “will mark a new order in the understanding” of gastronomy. “The great problem of society is the anxiety that the investigation can not be linked,” he said.

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Mercat de Mercats (BCN) have to Peruvian cuisine as guest of honor at the 6th edition

From Friday 23th to Sunday October 25th at “Avinguda de la Catedral”stands the locals gather markets

Mercat de Mercats Barcelona

Peruvian cuisine is one of the protagonists of the Mercat de Mercats which comes as a guest country. From Friday 23th to Sunday 25th October at “Avinguda Catedral” host of this gastronomic shows that become the center of Barcelona in a street market where the locals market stallholders, restaurant owners and Catalan food and wine producers are concentrated.

During this 6th edition emphasis on Peruvian cuisine and inexhaustible pantry products from its vast geography will. Peru is one of the latest kitchens that have come to Barcelona as restaurants and great public success.

In the food fair they have scheduled a series of activities in classrooms and Gourmet Tasting, including presentations on the Lima ceviche or cause, among others, led by internationally renowned chefs as Victor Gutierrez (1 Michelin star and 2 suns Repsol), Jorge Muñoz (1 Michelin star) or Acurio and some members of his gang of “tiger’s milk”.

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Vinari premis 2015: Best Catalan is a young red wine of the DO Conca de Barbera

It is Vermell Peguera 2013, the winery Clos de Peguera | Ramon Roqueta, Monvínic Award for personal career | 839 references 12 DOs involved in editing

The jury Vinari Awards finalists “catando” wines in Ruby Celler

Peguera Vermell 2013, the Clos de Peguera (Conca de Barbera) cellar is the best wine produced in Catalonia this year. This is attested by the award he has received last friday at the Auditorium Vilafranca; Vinari Grand Gold Award 2015.

This is the third installment of the Premis Vinari 2015 organized by the specialized digital newspaper Vadevi.cat, some trophies, like other initiatives in recent years, were born with the aim of disseminating the best wines of Catalonia. In 2014 the great Vinari d’Or went for a grenache Empordà, the Millenium 2011 Bodega Xavier Clue (Terra Alta), and a year before, was for a sweet wine of Empordà Garnacha Solera of the winery Mas Llunes 2002.

Since it opened this past spring convocation this year, 12 839 references DO Catalan entered in competition. 10 preliminary tastings over the territory during the months of May to July, and a final tasting with 70 experts, held at the Celler Ruby on 14th September, served to decide how to divide the 166 trophies to the best wines this year.

The wines have measured forces in 12 different categories and also have given the Special Vinari Awards and Special to Ecological DO, highlighting the three best wines of each Catalan DO Production. As in the past, Tarragona wines are those that receive the largest number of awards. Specifically, the DO Terra Alta (14 awards), the Priorat (14) and Penedès (14). They are followed by Girona Emporda DO wines (13).

To reward the Peguera Vermell 2013 -a wine unpretentious Parker got 88 points the jury praised his will to recover a traditional style (in fact vermell (red) is appointed as de Catalunya years ago when red wines color intensity was not an obsession). 100 %% Monastrell varietal, is the result of a maturing skins of six days and only 50% of skin.

Apart from this little gem without aging young, only two DO get two gold medals: Emporda and Priorat. Empordà are Blanc dels Aspres Vinyes dels Aspres 2013 in the category of wood and SoliSerena White Grenache d’Empordà Celler Espolla Cooperatiu in the category of Sweet Wines, stale and desserts. The two Gold for Giné Priorat Rosat 2014 Buil & Gine in the category Pink, and Black Guard 2010 Clos Abella Marco Abella. The other Golden Vinari distributed in the territory rewarding DO Alella with amazing sparkling wine, Ivory Brut Blanc de Negre 2010 Alella Vinícola in the category of sparkling Reserve, DO Conca de Barbera by said Vermell Peguera 2013 (Gold Medal and, in turn, Great Vinari de Oro), the Penedès where also highlighted with Sumarroca Bòria 2011 award in the category of red wines Crianza DO Terra Alta and where there has been a gold the Young White in the category of white youths Prohom Ecològic Blanc 2014 winery Coma d’en Bonet. He has also gone to the four Vinari Cava de Oro: Grau Dòria Brut Sparkling 2013 between Young (minimum 9 months aging); Marta Reserva 2012 Passió Canals Canals dig them in the category of Sparkling Pink; Rimarts Brut Nature Gran Reserva 2011 Gran Reserva sparkling between (minimum aging of 30 months) and in the category of Ancient Sparkling Reservations (minimum 50 months aging), it has set the Millenium Guillem Carol Gran Reserva 2006 Cellers Carol Vallès .

The rise of organic production:

For some years it shows in the market an upward trend in the production of natural and organic wines and Catalonia is, as noted by the general director of the Institut Català de la Vinya i Vi of the Generalitat, Jordi Bort, a leader in organic viticulture Only in the Catalan community vineyards certified as organic and add 500 hectares. The rally has been accompanied by a progressive implementation in restaurants and specialty shops and this trend should also be seen in the form of awards. This style of wines has been awarded eleven special awards tonight organic production among the 12 categories of competition- -Awards. Only the category of Sweet Wines has been unsuccessful.

Ramon Roqueta Roqueta distinction

The Monvínic Award for Personal Achievement in the wine world has been to Ramon Roqueta Roqueta. This Spaniard nonagenarian, faithful follower of the path forged by his ancestors, took over the family business in 1963. Its maximum were to strengthen and expand the family brand with a distribution network throughout Spain. In the words of Roqueta. “Selling wines of the farmers and Rajadell Fals (his native Bages) as far away as San Sebastián” It was another time, but those mud and sewage sludge by people like Roqueta and all those who have come after the Catalan wine world beyond the seas opened. First so that it could enjoy throughout the territory. Now it is drunk all over the world.

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The pioneers of american football in Barcelona

The Buffaloes were born in Barcelona in 1987 and are the oldest american football club in the city.

American football in Barcelona

It’s been 28 years that Barcelona Búfals competing for football fields there are in Catalonia and Spain. The club, which was first founded in Barcelona in this sport continues promoting a form in the Catalan region is very minor. However, the Buffaloes did not desist from promoting this sport and have changed the way we work to improve the club long-term: “For two years we have put serious attempt to achieve a solid structure of ranks and from here, making the club bigger, “says Sergi Bellmunt, president of the organization.

Currently Buffaloes have many equipment categories: open (after eight years), sub11, sub15, youth, junior, senior and female, and in total, one hundred members involved in the club. Some 16 of these people are young women who are the only football team in the city and compete for 3 years in the league Catalan, who have won once, in the Spanish league . And this sport, although a minority, have a space for everyone, as stated Laia Girona, player of Buffalo: “It’s just the position you play, as you are, always have a role.”

So much so that in football every play depends on every team players. They have a very specific task to perform, and that the move is successful, everyone must complete the work that touches perfection. Technique, strategy and especially trust are the key elements of the sport. We know well the senior team, which plays in Serie B this year, second-class state, with the clear objective to raise the maximum Spanish division.

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