Panamanian Researchers Visit IDIVAL to Advance the Creation of Panama’s First National Biobank and the Development of a Population Cohort Inspired by the Cantabria Cohort
International collaboration between Cantabria and Panama continues to make progress following a visit to the facilities of the Valdecilla Research Institute (IDIVAL) by two Panamanian researchers working to establish the future National Biobank of Panama and develop a longitudinal population cohort inspired by the Cantabria Cohort model.
The week-long visit was part of the scientific cooperation initiatives launched in December 2025. The meeting helped lay the foundations for a strategic collaboration aimed at strengthening biomedical research infrastructure in the Central American country.
The visiting delegation comprised Dr Alcibiades Villarreal, a researcher at the Institute for Scientific Research and High Technology Services of Panama (INDICASAT AIP), one of the country's leading biomedical research centres, dedicated to generating scientific knowledge and developing advanced technological capabilities in healthcare; and Dr Roderick Chen-Camaño, a researcher at the Social Security Fund of Panama (CSS), the public institution responsible for providing healthcare and social security services to a large proportion of the Panamanian population.
The main aim of the visit was to gain first-hand insight into the procedures, quality standards, organisational structures, and regulatory frameworks governing the operation of the Valdecilla Biobank. These will serve as a reference for establishing what will become Panama's first National Biobank, an initiative already supported by the Panamanian Ministry of Health.
The researchers also sought to build on the experience gained by the Cantabria Cohort to design and implement a longitudinal population cohort in Panama. This cohort will make it possible to study the determinants of health and disease among the Panamanian population and generate valuable scientific evidence for biomedical research and healthcare planning in the country.
During the working week, the Panamanian researchers took part in an intensive technical programme that included visits to the facilities of IDIVAL and Marqués de Valdecilla University Hospital. They gained first-hand insight into the operations of the Cantabria Cohort and the Valdecilla Biobank and attended specialist sessions covering governance, strategic planning, ethical and legal considerations, and the operational management of biobanks and population cohorts.
This visit has strengthened scientific ties between Panama and Cantabria and further established IDIVAL, the Valdecilla Biobank, and the Cantabria Cohort as international reference institutions in the development of biomedical research infrastructure. The transfer of knowledge and expertise will help Panama develop its own capabilities and create new opportunities for scientific collaboration between the two regions in strategic areas of research and population health improvement.