ADAPTHA: RPK Group Joins Forces with i+Med, Bexen, and Erreka to Develop a New Generation of Smart, Personalized Medical Devices

03/11/2026

ADAPTHA: RPK Group Joins Forces with i+Med, Bexen, and Erreka to Develop a New Generation of Smart, Personalized Medical Devices

The project aims to develop a new generation of smart biomaterials for use in advanced medical devices.

ADAPTHA, an acronym for “Research into New Smart Biopolymer Networks for the Development of Next-Generation Medical Devices for Personalized (Nano)medicine,” is a strategic industrial research project led by i+Med S. Coop. (i+Med), in collaboration with Oiarso S. Coop. (Bexen), Matz Erreka S. Coop. (Erreka), and RPK S. Coop. (RPK Group). The project aims to develop a new generation of smart biomaterials for use in advanced medical devices.

An aging population, the rising prevalence of chronic diseases, and growing demand for personalized treatments are creating new challenges for the healthcare industry. Against this backdrop, ADAPTHA will investigate a new technology platform based on (nano)hydrogels and smart adhesive polymer networks, designed for integration into more effective, safer medical solutions tailored to patients’ needs. The goal is to establish a versatile technological architecture that supports multiple applications from a single platform.

The project will establish a comprehensive technology platform for designing, synthesizing, and integrating smart hydrogels into medical devices. This will involve developing biotechnology equipment to synthesize functionalized polymers under sterile conditions, along with advanced microfluidic technologies for hydrogel development. These capabilities will help pave the way for reproducible industrial-scale manufacturing of innovative biomaterials, strengthening the technological independence of the Basque healthcare and life sciences sector.

ADAPTHA Research into New Smart Biopolymer Networks for the Development of Next-Generation Medical Devices for Personalized (Nano)medicine

Key applications under development include new ophthalmic reservoirs for treating chronic and severe dry eye syndrome; cranial fixation devices featuring bioadhesive properties and controlled release of active substances; medical guidewires with enhanced lubricity and biocompatibility coatings; and nasogastric tubes with functionalized surfaces to improve performance.

The consortium brings together complementary industrial expertise: i+Med will lead the development of smart biomaterials; Bexen will focus on sterile synthesis equipment and nasogastric tubes; Erreka will contribute microfluidic technologies; and RPK Group will specialize in metallic medical devices.

The project will also benefit from the collaboration of organizations within the Basque Science, Technology, and Innovation Network, including GAIKER, POLYMAT, CIC biomaGUNE, CIC nanoGUNE, TECNALIA, TEKNIKER, RPK Technological Center, and research groups from EHU (University of the Basque Country), as well as support from the Basque Health Cluster.

With a budget of €5.8 million and a 34-month timeline (2026–2028), ADAPTHA is part of the Hazitek 2026 program under its strategic projects category. It also serves as the technological core of the transformative project “SMART HYDROGELS FOR PERSONALIZED NANOMEDICINE,” led by i+Med.

Dr. Virginia Sáez-Martínez, Scientific Coordinator at i+Med, emphasizes:

“ADAPTHA represents an opportunity to bring together the scientific expertise and industrial capabilities of the Basque Country, driving the development of homegrown technologies that will advance personalized medicine and improve patients’ quality of life.”

Through this initiative, the consortium aims to strengthen the Basque Country’s healthcare and life sciences value chain, create highly skilled jobs, and reinforce the region’s international position as a leader in smart biomaterials and personalized nanomedicine.

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