Clinical research leaders gather in Madrid for third Viamed–FutureMeds Conference

Viamed Salud and FutureMeds held the third Viamed–FutureMeds Conference in Madrid, bringing together researchers, health care leaders, patient representatives and industry experts to discuss Spain’s role in clinical research and the use of data, artificial intelligence and patient engagement in trial delivery.

In 2025, Spain confirmed its position as one of Europe’s leading countries for clinical research, with 962 clinical trials authorised during the year. This record figure reflects the country’s growing role in biomedical innovation and its ability to bring together hospitals, researchers, industry, public institutions and patient communities.

This momentum formed the backdrop to the 3rd Viamed–FutureMeds Conference, held in Madrid under the theme “Innovation with Purpose: Patients and Data Transforming Clinical Research.”

Organised by Viamed Salud and FutureMeds, the event brought together representatives from healthcare, academia, patient organisations, the pharmaceutical industry, artificial intelligence and real-world data to discuss how clinical research is evolving in Spain and across Europe.

“Innovation only has value when it responds to real needs. That is why it is important to bring healthcare professionals, researchers, data experts, industry and patient representatives together in the same forum to share perspectives, identify common challenges and move towards clinical research that is more collaborative and prepared for the future.”

— Dr Radoslaw Janiak, CEO of FutureMeds

A changing clinical research landscape

Clinical research is undergoing significant change. Artificial intelligence, real-world data and more structured approaches to patient engagement are increasingly shaping how trials are designed, delivered and evaluated.

Across the conference sessions, speakers explored how these developments can support more efficient trial delivery, improve decision-making and make clinical research more accessible and relevant to patients.

Key themes included:

• Spain’s competitiveness in clinical research

• The role of artificial intelligence in improving trial processes

• The use of real-world data in healthcare decision-making

• The importance of patient experience across the full trial journey

• The need for stronger collaboration between institutions, hospitals, industry, researchers and patient communities

The event was held at CEU San Pablo University and hosted by Esther Estepa, Corporate Director of People, Teaching and Research at Viamed Salud.

The institutional opening included Rosa María Visiedo Claverol, Rector of CEU San Pablo University, and Inmaculada Ibáñez de Cáceres, Director of Teaching and Research at the Department of Health of the Community of Madrid, who highlighted Spain’s strategic role in biomedical research and the importance of continued collaboration across the ecosystem.

Patient engagement as a practical priority

One of the central sessions of the day was the roundtable “Patient Engagement 360º: Innovating Practice with New Models and Real-World Experiences,” moderated by Rocío Díaz Sánchez, Managing Director of FutureMeds Spain.

The discussion brought together international experts and patient representatives to explore how clinical research can become more inclusive, accessible and responsive to real patient needs.

Speakers discussed the importance of involving patients not only as trial participants, but as contributors to how research is designed and delivered. This included practical considerations around access, communication, trial burden, diversity and the role of patient organisations in improving participation.

Participants in the conference included Anna Sala Cunill, Head of the Innovation Unit at Vall d’Hebron Hospital and co-founder of anAPPhylaxis; Annick de Bruin, Director of Research and Strategic Analysis at CISCRP in the United States; Amelia Martín Uranga, Director of the Clinical and Translational Research Department at Farmaindustria; and David Pérez del Rey, Professor of Artificial Intelligence at the Polytechnic University of Madrid and Director of the TriNetX-UPM Data Integration Partnership.

Collaboration as the foundation for progress

For FutureMeds and Viamed Salud, the conference reflects a shared commitment to building stronger connections between the organisations and communities involved in clinical research.

“Spain has managed to position itself as a European benchmark in clinical research thanks to the talent of its professionals and the ability to collaborate across hospitals, researchers, industry and public administration. Maintaining that leadership requires us to evolve towards more agile models that are connected with the reality of patients, where technology and data help drive research that is more efficient, accessible and has a real impact on clinical practice.”

— Paulo Gonçalves, CEO of Grupo Viamed Salud

The discussions throughout the day also reflected a wider European challenge: how to strengthen Europe’s competitiveness in biomedical research while making trials more agile, digitalised and centred on patients.

As clinical research continues to evolve, events like the Viamed–FutureMeds Conference create an important space for practical dialogue between the people and organisations shaping the future of trial delivery.