Sep 18, 2026.

On 16 and 17 September 2026, the partners of the European IN-ARMOR project came together in Madrid for the project’s 4th Consortium Meeting and 14th Management Board Meeting. The two-day meeting provided an opportunity to review scientific and technical progress, strengthen collaboration across the consortium, and define the priorities for the final phase of the project.

A pan-European effort to address antimicrobial resistance

The face-to-face meeting was hosted by Servicio Madrileño de Salud (SERMAS) and its affiliated research organisation, the Fundación para la Investigación Biomédica del Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal (FIBIOHRC).

 

Day 1: Reviewing scientific progress and advancing lead compound selection

The meeting opened on Wednesday, 16 September, with welcome remarks from Dr Rafael Cantón Moreno (SERMAS) and the project coordinator, Prof. Guðmundur Guðmundsson (University of Iceland).

Throughout the morning, Work Package leaders presented the latest scientific and technical achievements across the project:

  • WP1 – Molecule optimisation and synthesis: Progress in in silico design and the synthesis of new chemical innate immunity inducers.
  • WP2 – In vitro testing: Results from antimicrobial peptide induction studies and efficacy testing in cellular and intestinal models.
  • WP3 – Drug formulation and delivery: Advances in the development of biocompatible nanoformulations and silica nanoparticles designed for gastrointestinal delivery.
  • WP4 – In vivo testing: Results from toxicological assessments, pharmacokinetic and ADME studies, and efficacy testing in animal models.
  • WP5 – Regulatory and Health Technology Assessment (HTA) activities: Progress towards defining the regulatory pathway, including interactions with the European Medicines Agency (EMA), as well as developments in health technology assessment.

In the afternoon, researchers took part in a series of focused technical discussions aimed at consolidating experimental strategies and progressing the selection of the project’s lead compounds for further development.

Day 2: Exploitation, intellectual property and the clinical perspective

The second day, held on Thursday, 17 September, focused on technology transfer, innovation protection, project governance and the preparation of the project’s final phase.

Key activities included:

  • WP6 – Business Development and Exploitation: Discussion of business development pathways and technology transfer models for the project’s Key Exploitable Results (KERs).
  • WP7 – Intellectual Property, Stakeholder Engagement, Dissemination and Communication: Review of the intellectual property and patenting strategy, the Open Science and publication plan, stakeholder mapping and engagement activities, and preparations for the IN-ARMOR Final Expo.
  • WP8 – Project and Data Management: Review of administrative and financial management, risk monitoring and the status of the project’s Data Management Plan (DMP).

A joint WP6–WP8 strategic workshop provided an opportunity for partners to discuss how to maximise the scientific, socioeconomic and regulatory impact of the project’s results, while refining the actions needed during the final phase of IN-ARMOR.

The meeting then continued with the 14th Management Board Meeting, during which the project coordinator and Work Package leaders reviewed progress, discussed key agreements and aligned on the strategic priorities and next steps for the coming months.

Connecting research with the clinical environment

The meeting concluded with a technical visit to the Microbiology Department of Hospital Universitario Ramón y Cajal, hosted by colleagues from SERMAS and FIBIOHRC.

The visit provided an important opportunity for consortium members to gain insight into the clinical and microbiological environment in which new approaches to antimicrobial resistance may ultimately be applied, strengthening the connection between IN-ARMOR’s research activities and real-world healthcare needs

Moving towards the final phase of IN-ARMOR

The Madrid meeting marked an important moment for IN-ARMOR as the project moves towards its final phase. The combination of scientific progress, strategic discussions on exploitation and intellectual property, and continued work on dissemination, communication and stakeholder engagement is helping the consortium translate research achievements into pathways towards future impact.

With a shared roadmap for the months ahead, the IN-ARMOR partners return to their respective institutions with renewed momentum and a clear focus on advancing innovative approaches based on innate immunity to help address the growing challenge of antimicrobial resistance in Europe and beyond.

Stay tuned for further updates on IN-ARMOR’s progress and the upcoming IN-ARMOR Final Expo.