Regional
Colombia pioneers biomedical research in transfusion medicine, biotechnology, and advanced therapies in Latin America for a healthier future
Paula A. Gaviria García
District Institute for Science, Biotechnology, and Innovation in Health, Bogotá D.C- Colombia
Gustavo Salguero
District Institute for Science, Biotechnology, and Innovation in Health, Bogotá D.C- Colombia
Located in Bogota, Colombia, the District Institute for Science, Biotechnology, and Innovation in Health (IDCBIS) is rapidly consolidating an innovative ecosystem in biomedical sciences within the national health sector. IDCBIS was established as a research center with a strong emphasis on biotechnology, advanced therapies, and translational medicine, encompassing molecular and genomic aspects. Over the last few years, IDCBIS has consolidated its basic science and development capabilities, leveraging scientific training, cutting-edge infrastructure, and a strong social commitment to improve human health in Colombia and Latin America.
IDCBIS has set up key operational areas such as:
• Blood Banking: This bank supplies blood components to hospital centers, distributing approximately 20% of the blood used in Bogota, ensuring high-quality and safety standards. It serves as a reference blood bank for national and Latin American health authorities, holds certification from the CAT Foundation, and in 2020, received the award for the best international strategy for promoting blood donation during the pandemic, granted by the Spanish Society of Blood Transfusion and Cellular Therapy (SETS). • Human Tissues Bank: It is the first public multi-tissue bank in the country and the leader in Latin America in the collection, processing, and storage of tissues for transplantation, including skin, corneas, bone, tendons, and amniotic membranes. The Tissue Bank has benefited thousands of patients who require various regenerative medicine products. • Public Umbilical Cord Blood Bank: This program collects, processes, and stores umbilical cord blood for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, providing new treatment options for children. To date, it has distributed 92 umbilical cord blood units for patients in pediatric transplant centers in Colombia. •Advanced Therapies Unit (AUT): This research and development center has pioneered novel therapeutic alternatives based on cell and gene therapies, as well as tissue-engineered medical devices, for treating chronic, degenerative diseases, including autoimmune conditions, cancer, and arthrosis, as well as diabetic ulcers. ATU is currently introducing CAR-T, TILS, mesenchymal, and other cell immunotherapies that are being explored in several clinical trials in Colombia. Furthermore, ATU leads research programs in translational medicine by applying genomics and analytics in cellular and molecular biology to understand cancer, neurodegenerative diseases, and other relevant chronic conditions in the Colombian population.
IDCBIS is also a pioneer in crucial public health programs such as: • Unique Blood Donor Program: This program brings strategies for identifying and retaining donors with rare phenotypes. Led by the Advanced Immunohematology Unit, this program standardizes cryopreservation methods for red blood cells with rare phenotypes and develops novel molecular immunohematology techniques. It also participates in international knowledge networks such as the ISBT's Working Party on Rare Donors and GCIAMT. Moreover, it has facilitated the donation of rare antisera from rare donor programs in France, Sweden, Germany, and the United Kingdom, enabling the launch of Latin America's first multicenter screening for high-incidence antigens such as Vel, Jra, and PP1Pk. • Colombian Marrow Donor Program "DarCélulas" Program: IDCBIS has led the establishment of the first National Registry of Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors. To date, over 11,065 donors have registered, attracting the interest of more than 23,000 new potential subscribers in the past year. In 2024, DarCélulas coordinated the first marrow donor from the registry to provide a transplant product to Colombian children. It is now establishing additional collection centers and expanding the use of hematopoietic progenitor cells from unrelated donors in more than 20 transplant centers in Colombia.
In addition, the IDCBIS has a microbiology laboratory for biological and environmental samples that performs all the required quality analyses for blood bank products, UTA, and tissues used in diagnostics and/or research. IDCBIS continues to strengthen its capabilities in science, technology, and innovation. Through its efforts in transfusion medicine, biotechnology, and advanced therapies, it is positioning itself as a national and international leader in medical biotechnology.
Its impact translates into developing innovative health solutions, reinforcing the country's self-sufficiency in hematologic, cancer, and regenerative treatments, thus decisively contributing to improving the quality of life for the most vulnerable populations in Colombia and Latin America.
