CuidaL’Hfutur Study Launched at Smart City Expo

On Wednesday 4th November 2026, the CuidaL’Hfutur project was presented at the Ajuntament de L'Hospitalet’s stand during the Smart City Expo. The initiative, led by IDIBELL, the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO) and Hospital Universitari de Bellvitge, will analyse the genomes of 7,000 residents to advance personalised, predictive and preventive medicine. The study includes 2,000 patients with cancer or rare diseases and a sample of 5,000 healthy individuals from L'Hospitalet. Its primary goal is to improve diagnosis for undetected hereditary cancers and rare conditions, while developing preventive health strategies for healthy participants who wish to maintain their wellbeing. Chiara Di Vona, project manager at IDIBELL and bioinformatician, stated the study’s objective is "to improve diagnosis in cases of patients with cancer or rare diseases, and to develop a preventive medicine programme for those who are healthy and wish to remain so."

Advanced Genomic Technology Requires Major Investment

The project relies on cutting-edge genomic technology significantly more advanced than the simpler, lower-cost methods currently used in most primary care settings. The long-term vision is for such technology to eventually be integrated into local CAPs (primary care centres). CuidaL’Hfutur is a priority programme of the Bellvitge-Granvia Innovation and Health Biocluster, a regional health innovation hub. Citizen participation is essential, and the project is currently in its initial phase, recruiting its first participants and building the necessary infrastructure. However, officials stress that a substantial financial investment will be required to scale the project. The initiative is supported under the PECT (Projecte d’Especialització i Competitivitat Territorial) framework, which promotes innovation-driven economic transformation in Catalonia through FEDER funding. Residents interested in participating will be able to access the study through the healthcare network linked to Hospital de Bellvitge and the Bioclúster, though specific enrolment procedures and eligibility criteria are still being finalised.

Sources: LHDigital (L'Hospitalet), dinamitzaciolocal.l-h.cat.