Biomedical Research Consortium-Chile

The Biomedical Research Consortium-Chile (BMRC) is a Chilean research organization based in Santiago that was established in 2007 as an alliance between the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Recalcine Pharmaceutical Corporation, and other pharmaceutical companies. Its purpose is to conduct technological research in human health that is applicable and transferable to the market, bridging the gap between academic science and industry. The consortium is currently financed by the Universidad Católica and Abbott, the US-based pharmaceutical laboratory that acquired Recalcine as a means to enter the Latin American market. The Chilean state also contributes public funds through Corfo, which replaced the original Conicyt instrument, the Bicentennial Program for Science. BMRC's work is organized around research lines that address significant public health problems. One prominent line focuses on vaccines, including a safe and effective vaccine against Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV), which causes high morbidity in infants and the elderly and is the second leading cause of childhood pneumonia. Another line develops diagnostic tests capable of simultaneously detecting multiple infectious agents in the respiratory tract, along with markers of inflammatory response and infection severity, addressing the limitations and high costs of current testing. The consortium supports a team of six sponsored researchers who are leaders in their fields and have wide national and international recognition. Beyond laboratory research, BMRC actively promotes university-industry alliances and the creation of permanent research capacities. This includes training highly qualified staff to contribute to research in both academia and industry, as well as creating infrastructure and acquiring state-of-the-art equipment. The consortium has an international presence, participating in events such as FOCIS 2026 and ForoInnovación, and its researchers have received international distinctions for patented biomedical innovation and distinguished scientific careers. Through its patents, publications, and collaborations with research centers worldwide, BMRC aims to be a relevant actor in implementing research programs that provide solutions to pressing human health problems.

The Biomedical Research Consortium-Chile (BMRC) was set up in 2007 as the result of an association between the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Recalcine Pharmaceutical Corporation, and other important companies in the pharmaceutical area. The objective of this alliance between the private company and the Academy was to develop and generate solutions (product/technological package) with a high impact on human health through R&D lines that are applicable and transferable to the market. Today the consortium consists of the Universidad Católica and Abbott, a US-based pharmaceutical laboratory that acquired Recalcine as an instrument to access the Latin American market. Both institutions finance the activities of the consortium. Other relevant actors are a team of six researchers sponsored by the consortium, leaders in their respective areas, with wide national and international recognition, as well as important alliances and collaborations with important research centers in the rest of the world. Finally, the State contributes public funds to the initiative through Corfo, which has replaced the original instrument by Conicyt: Bicentennial Program for Science. Over the years, BMRC has pursued research lines in vaccines and diagnostics, with notable projects including a vaccine against Human Metapneumovirus and a multi-pathogen respiratory diagnostic test. The consortium has gained international visibility through events such as FOCIS 2026 and ForoInnovación, and its researchers have received international distinctions.

• 2007

  BMRC founded as an association between Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Recalcine Pharmaceutical Corporation, and other pharmaceutical companies.

• Abbott acquires Recalcine, becoming a financing partner of BMRC alongside Universidad Católica.

• Corfo replaces Conicyt as the state funding instrument through the Bicentennial Program for Science.

• BMRC participates in FOCIS 2026, strengthening its international presence.

A public-private research consortium translating academic and industry R&D into marketable health solutions for Chile and beyond.

• Vaccine against Human Metapneumovirus (hMPV)

  A safe and effective vaccine candidate against hMPV, which causes high morbidity in infants and the elderly and is the second cause of childhood pneumonia. It has shown excellent protection results in pre-clinical studies and is undergoing clinical studies.

• Multi-pathogen respiratory diagnostic test

  A diagnostic test under development that detects multiple infectious agents in the respiratory tract simultaneously, specifically and sensitively, and also detects inflammatory response and infection severity, addressing the limitations and high costs of current testing.

1. 1BMRC - Homebmrc.cl
2. 2BMRC - Who We Arebmrc.cl
3. 3Wikidata: Biomedical Research Consortium-Chilewikidata.org