DESTINATION OF FUNDS
Dear all,
Once again, I am addressing all the people who make the Solidarity Gala People in Red Barcelona possible and who share with us the commitment to research into infectious diseases. In a global context marked by new health challenges, infections remain a real and persistent threat. In fact, at present, one in every five deaths worldwide is due to infections. Confronting them therefore requires knowledge, collaboration and determination.
At the Foundation to Fight Infections, we have been working for more than thirty years with a clear mission: to offer real opportunities to people with infectious diseases through innovative clinical research and, at the same time, to share the knowledge generated with both the scientific community and society at large.
Thanks to the constant efforts of our teams and the trust of all the people who support us, we have been able to make significant progress in understanding and treating infectious diseases. We are currently working across six major areas: HIV; emerging respiratory infections; sexually transmitted infections; global health and neglected diseases; severe bacterial infections; and infections in immunocompromised people.
Looking back, we can be proud of the path we have taken. Looking ahead, we are fully aware that the challenges do not stop: new infections; the need to advance in translational research; the care and improvement of the quality of life of people living with infections; and the crucial role of prevention and early detection are just some of the fronts on which we will continue to work with determination.
Today, more than ever, we know what it means to face a global pandemic. That is why we remain committed to placing all our knowledge, experience and capacity for innovation at the service of prevention and preparedness for future health crises, working in a network with institutions and organisations around the world.
On behalf of the entire Foundation to Fight Infections, I would like to express my most sincere gratitude to all the individuals, companies and organisations that make the Solidarity Gala People in Red Barcelona possible, which this year celebrates its 16th edition. Together, we continue to move forward in the fight against infections and to help protect the future.
With all my consideration and gratitude,
Dr. Bonaventura Clotet
The risk of new pandemics poses a major threat to global health and economic stability. For this reason, the Foundation addresses the key challenges presented by infectious diseases, grouped into six main areas of expertise.
OUR RESEARCH
From the Foundation we have managed to become a leading organisation thanks to our commitment to disruptive research and our human approach with projects that have changed and saved lives.
HIV
Our goal is to bring an end to HIV infection and ultimately cure patients. Until this becomes possible, we work to provide better treatments and prevent not only physical complications but also psychosocial ones. We also implement prevention strategies based on pre-exposure treatment, known as PrEP.
Emerging Respiratory Infections
We work to prevent COVID-19, stop its progression and reduce mortality. Our efforts also focus on studying long COVID in order to understand its causes and identify effective treatments.
Global Health and Neglected Diseases
Our work concentrates on preventing, diagnosing and treating infections linked to globalisation—both those affecting travellers and those affecting migrant populations. We also collaborate with endemic countries to address neglected diseases.
Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
We focus on developing preventive strategies to stop new infections and on searching for improved treatments, either through new drugs or by using existing ones in innovative ways.
Infections in Immunocompromised Patients
We aim to reduce complications and mortality from severe infections in immunocompromised patients—people whose immune systems are weakened and therefore have fewer defences to fight infections and disease. Causes may include genetic conditions, illness, transplants, among others.
Severe Bacterial Infections
We fight bacterial infections that cause high mortality and serious clinical complications. We pay particular attention to antibiotic-resistant pathogens and to studying infections that originate in the environment and in the animal kingdom (One Health).
Neurodegenerative diseases
Dementia, which results from various diseases and injuries affecting the brain, represents the seventh leading cause of death worldwide, with 10 million new cases diagnosed every year.
The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s, which can account for between 60 and 70% of cases. The research team works to evaluate the efficacy of drugs against this neurodegenerative disease, as well as to develop new treatments.
Cancer
Cancer causes millions of deaths annually, making it the second leading cause of mortality worldwide. Our extensive experience in the immune system allows us to design new therapies to tackle this disease and work towards providing solutions for those who suffer from it.
