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A new home for life sciences is coming to Madrid
Join us on 25 September 2025 for an exclusive preview of the Clesa Innovation Center, where discovery and collaboration meet.
The future of innovation in Madrid starts here
Welcome to the Clesa Innovation Center, where Kadans is creating a vibrant new ecosystem for life sciences and health in Madrid. For over 20 years, we’ve built environments across Europe that empower collaboration and discovery. Now, we’re bringing that vision to life in Madrid.
On 25 September, join leading scientists, innovators, and partners for an exclusive first look at what’s to come.
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Be among the first to explore the future Clesa Innovation Center
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Connect with leading professionals in Spanish and European life sciences
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Discover Kadans’ vision for science-driven collaboration in Madrid
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Hear from partners and early collaborators
Programme
10:00 Welcome
The doors to the new Clesa Innovation Center open at 10:00, with a warm welcome by our host Prof. José Antonio López Guerrero.
10:45 Rescuing the past to build the future
During the first presentation, we will dive into the rich history of the iconic Clesa Factory, exploring its architectural and cultural significance. This will be followed by an exclusive look at the City Council of Madrid’s vision for the site’s future.
11:00 Madrid and the challenges of biomedical research
Around 11:00, We’ll present our plans to transform the historic site into a state-of-the-art facility, offering advanced capabilities and services tailored to both public and private R&D initiatives.
You’ll also hear firsthand testimonials from business leaders, research institutions, and healthcare professionals, highlighting why this moment – and this location- are ideal for establishing such a centre of innovation.
11:15 Meet our Rockstar Scientist
Dr. García Olmo will deliver the keynote address, bringing together the key themes explored throughout the day. His speech will highlight:
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His pioneering research and its relevance to pressing One Health challenges; bridging human, animal, and environmental health.
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His collaboration with Kadans Science Partner, emphasising the importance of strategic partnerships in accelerating innovation.
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The transformative potential of the Clesa Innovation Center, showcasing how the cutting-edge laboratories and conferencing facilities will support impactful research, collaboration, and knowledge exchange.
11:30 One Health – One Science
This round table will take the form of an engaging dialogue between our chairperson’s of the day and expert participants, exploring how emerging challenges and innovations are shaping a new global health paradigm.
Key topics will include the role of artificial intelligence (AI) in medicine, the importance of veterinary science in pandemic preparedness, the promise of advanced therapies, and the technological foundations needed to support a unified One Health approach.
Led by:
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Víctor Manuel Maojo – Expert in Artificial Intelligence in Medicine
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María Ángeles Calvo – Specialist in Veterinary and Zoonotic Health
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Manuel Pimentel – Leader in Advanced Therapies and Biomedical Innovation
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Carlos Royo – Advocate for Technology-Driven One Health Solutions
12:15 What do we mean by Science Partner?
Michel Leemhuis, CEO of Kadans Science Partner, will present Kadans’ approach to empowering the scientific community across Europe – with a special focus on Spain and Madrid.
In this keynote, he will highlight how Kadans goes beyond infrastructure to actively foster ecosystems of innovation, bringing together researchers, entrepreneurs, institutions, and industry. From purpose-built facilities to tailored services and strategic matchmaking, Kadans plays a vital role as a catalyst for collaboration and progress in the life sciences and health sectors.
12:30 Exhibition & networking
Discover the exclusive exhibition on the future Clesa Innovation Center. See for yourself what the future of Life Sciences and Health will hold in the heart of Madrid.
Enjoy a glass of wonderful spanish wine and meet like-minded experts, researchers, organisations, and innovators, all driven to accelerate innovation in Spain.
13:30 End of the event
We hope to have inspired you with all the incredible research and innovation that is taking place in the Madrid area, and that you’ve found your new space to grow your own ideas.
Speakers
José Antonio López Guerrero
Host
José Antonio López Guerrero is a Full Professor of Microbiology at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), where he earned his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with extraordinary award (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology).
He currently leads the Neurovirology Group at UAM, focusing on the role of viruses, particularly HSV-1, in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. His research spans immunovirology, oncovirology, and the development of antiviral therapies; including work on SARS-CoV-2. As a passionate science communicator, Prof. López Guerrero regularly contributes to national media and has authored over 200 publications and 15 books.
Manuel Pimentel
Speaker
Manuel Pimentel is an editor at AlmuzaraLibros and prolific writer. He is an established agricultural engineer, lawyer, and Doctor of Law; with additional qualifications in senior business management and risk prevention. As a former Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, he has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Miguel Hernández University.
He is also a columnist and the presenter of the TVE2 programme Arqueomanía. His published works include novels such as El librero de la Atlántida, El arquitecto de Tombuctú, and Dolmen; essays El talento and La venganza del campo; and short stories including La Yurta, Leyendas de Medina Azahara, and Leyendas de Tartessos.
Dra. M. Angeles Calvo Torras
Speaker
Prof. Mª de los Ángeles Calvo Torras is Professor Emeritus of Animal Health at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), where she previously served as Professor, Vice-Dean, and Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She holds PhDs in both Pharmacy (University of Barcelona) and Veterinary Medicine (Complutense University of Madrid), and is a recognised expert in microbiology, parasitology, and public health.
With over 300 research publications, 28 supervised doctoral theses, and 14 awards for academic excellence, she is a leading voice in veterinary science. She is a full or corresponding member of numerous prestigious academies across Spain, Europe, and Latin America, and currently serves as President of the Academy of Veterinary Sciences of Catalonia and as Vice-President of the Royal European Academy of Doctors.
Prof. Calvo is an advisor to several public health institutions, a scientific expert to the European Commission, and an advocate of the One Health approach. In 2024, she was recognised as the most influential woman in Spain in the fields of animal health and veterinary medicine.
Víctor Maojo
Speaker
Prof. Víctor Maojo is a Medical Doctor with PhDs in both Medicine and Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), and an MSc in Computer Science. As a Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Polytechnic University of Madrid since 2007, he has worked in AI since 1986 and currently leads the university’s Biomedical Informatics Group. He completed postdoctoral research at Georgia Tech, Harvard Medical School, and MIT.
Prof. Maojo has served as an expert for the European Commission since 1998 and has received the National Award from the Spanish Society of Medical Informatics in 1998, 1999, and 2019. He is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics, a founding member of the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics, and a Corresponding Member of the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain.
Carlos Royo
Speaker
Dr. Carlos Royo is Director of Health Strategy at GMV and Vice-President of the Digital Health Commission of AMETIC. With a distinguished career in public health and digital innovation, he has held key positions including Director General of Public Health for Castilla-La Mancha, Head of the Information Systems Area at SESCAM, Primary Care Manager, and Inspector General of the CIS at the Spanish Ministry of Defence.
Dr Royo has received multiple national and international awards for his contributions to healthcare and digital transformation.
Damián García del Olmo
Keynote speaker
Professor and chief of surgery Damián Garcia del Olmo and his team use robots to improve cancer surgery. Using healthy stem cells to fight cancer cells in the body, they aim to improve the healing mutation using minimal invasive surgery.
Host
José Antonio López Guerrero is a Full Professor of Microbiology at the Autonomous University of Madrid (UAM), where he earned his PhD in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with extraordinary award (Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology).
He currently leads the Neurovirology Group at UAM, focusing on the role of viruses, particularly HSV-1, in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer’s and multiple sclerosis. His research spans immunovirology, oncovirology, and the development of antiviral therapies; including work on SARS-CoV-2. As a passionate science communicator, Prof. López Guerrero regularly contributes to national media and has authored over 200 publications and 15 books.
Speaker
Manuel Pimentel is an editor at AlmuzaraLibros and prolific writer. He is an established agricultural engineer, lawyer, and Doctor of Law; with additional qualifications in senior business management and risk prevention. As a former Minister of Labour and Social Affairs, he has been awarded an honorary doctorate by the Miguel Hernández University.
He is also a columnist and the presenter of the TVE2 programme Arqueomanía. His published works include novels such as El librero de la Atlántida, El arquitecto de Tombuctú, and Dolmen; essays El talento and La venganza del campo; and short stories including La Yurta, Leyendas de Medina Azahara, and Leyendas de Tartessos.
Speaker
Prof. Mª de los Ángeles Calvo Torras is Professor Emeritus of Animal Health at the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB), where she previously served as Professor, Vice-Dean, and Dean of the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine. She holds PhDs in both Pharmacy (University of Barcelona) and Veterinary Medicine (Complutense University of Madrid), and is a recognised expert in microbiology, parasitology, and public health.
With over 300 research publications, 28 supervised doctoral theses, and 14 awards for academic excellence, she is a leading voice in veterinary science. She is a full or corresponding member of numerous prestigious academies across Spain, Europe, and Latin America, and currently serves as President of the Academy of Veterinary Sciences of Catalonia and as Vice-President of the Royal European Academy of Doctors.
Prof. Calvo is an advisor to several public health institutions, a scientific expert to the European Commission, and an advocate of the One Health approach. In 2024, she was recognised as the most influential woman in Spain in the fields of animal health and veterinary medicine.
Speaker
Prof. Víctor Maojo is a Medical Doctor with PhDs in both Medicine and Computer Science (Artificial Intelligence), and an MSc in Computer Science. As a Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Polytechnic University of Madrid since 2007, he has worked in AI since 1986 and currently leads the university’s Biomedical Informatics Group. He completed postdoctoral research at Georgia Tech, Harvard Medical School, and MIT.
Prof. Maojo has served as an expert for the European Commission since 1998 and has received the National Award from the Spanish Society of Medical Informatics in 1998, 1999, and 2019. He is a Fellow of the American College of Medical Informatics, a founding member of the International Academy of Health Sciences Informatics, and a Corresponding Member of the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain.
Speaker
Dr. Carlos Royo is Director of Health Strategy at GMV and Vice-President of the Digital Health Commission of AMETIC. With a distinguished career in public health and digital innovation, he has held key positions including Director General of Public Health for Castilla-La Mancha, Head of the Information Systems Area at SESCAM, Primary Care Manager, and Inspector General of the CIS at the Spanish Ministry of Defence.
Dr Royo has received multiple national and international awards for his contributions to healthcare and digital transformation.
Keynote speaker
Professor and chief of surgery Damián Garcia del Olmo and his team use robots to improve cancer surgery. Using healthy stem cells to fight cancer cells in the body, they aim to improve the healing mutation using minimal invasive surgery.