The visit at Fraunhofer Spain began with opening remarks from Leitat and representatives of the Turkish delegation. Josep Samitier, Executive Director of Fraunhofer Spain, then presented the foundation’s development since its establishment in 2024 and its role in connecting the Spanish and German innovation ecosystems, linking Spanish companies with Fraunhofer expertise, and promoting applied research and knowledge transfer.

Samitier also introduced the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Theragnostics (Fraunhofer CAT), outlining its main research areas and capabilities. He explained how applied theragnostics combines diagnostic tools with personalised treatments to support diagnosis, prognosis and treatment selection in precision medicine and advanced therapies. Fraunhofer CAT’s work spans organ and tissue models, organ-on-chip devices, sensors, biological models and data analysis, with the aim of advancing promising technologies from early laboratory research to validated proofs of concept and prototypes with potential medical applications.

The delegation then met members of the Fraunhofer Spain and Fraunhofer CAT team: Josep Samitier, Executive Director; Elena Martínez, Deputy Director; Aldo Ramírez, Project Manager; senior researchers María García-Díaz, Núria Torras and Jordi Comelles; Carles Taulé, Business Developer; María José, Senior Technician; and Patricia Zoio, Postdoctoral Researcher. Fraunhofer CAT researchers delivered technical pitches on the center’s expertise in organ-on-chip systems, biosensors, biomaterials, biofabrication, organoids, 3D cultures, drug delivery and engineered tissue models, followed by networking sessions with the TÜBİTAK and Directorate General for EU and Foreign Affairs groups. Aitor Otero, Senior Laboratory Technician, subsequently led a tour of the Fraunhofer CAT laboratories, providing first-hand insight into the center’s facilities and research capabilities. The visit helped identify shared interests, establish new connections and explore potential areas of cooperation.