Health innovation: Tec and Ragon Institute (MGH, MIT, and Harvard)

Tec de Monterrey has signed an agreement with the prestigious Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard to develop more researchers and promote innovative solutions for tackling health challenges in Mexico.

This is an institution that conducts advanced biomedical research in the area of immunology, founded in 2009 as a collaboration between the hospital network of Mass General Brigham and the universities of MIT and Harvard.

The agreement was signed by authorities from that institution and directors from Tec de Monterrey and TecSalud on Wednesday, November 13, at the institute’s headquarters in Boston.

“At the Tec, we imagine a future in which research translates into solutions for the world. This association is proof of our commitment to excellence and dedication for tackling these challenges,” said Ricardo Saldívar, Chairman of the Board at Tec de Monterrey, during the signing.

For his part, David Garza, Executive President of Tec de Monterrey, added: “through this collaboration, the Tec’s students and researchers will gain access to advanced technologies, development programs for students and faculty, and research projects.”

Bruce D. Walker, Director of the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, added: “we feel that we’re in a position where we can really help to establish a world-class immunology center at Tec de Monterrey. They can help us through interactions with the talented students who come from the Tec.”

“This is the first relationship we’ve formed with a Latin American country, with a Latin American institution,” highlighted Facundo Batista, Associate Director and Scientific Director of the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard.

International health partnership 

The agreement between Tecnológico de Monterrey and the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard will enable greater capacity-building and enhance cell therapy research within the Tec’s ecosystem.

The partnership centers around four main areas:

• Research collaboration: initiatives in cell therapy and immunology, focused on the treatment and possible cure of global diseases such as cancer and diabetes.
• Health solution innovation: development of next-generation treatments, leveraging the experience of both institutions.
• Opportunities for students and researchers: access to student exchanges, collaborative projects, and advanced technologies, fostering academic and scientific growth.
• Global leadership in biomedical research: reinforcement of Tec de Monterrey’s commitment to research, contributing to health solution advancements on the world stage.

Specifically, the partnership also includes:

• Development of postdoctoral immunology programs
• Creation of a seed fund for common research projects
• Tec student access to cutting-edge laboratories 
• Establishment of an annual joint research symposium

“I believe that there is clearly a possibility to innovate and perform “nearshoring” in science, and this relationship with the Ragon Institute will enable us to do even more and expand this potential,” said Guillermo Torre, Rector of TecSalud, about the agreement.

Eva Fernández, Director of Social Impact at FEMSA, added: “we believe that this collaboration is going to enable many young scientists to get involved in the work of research on future health matters.”

Signing of the agreement

The international agreement was signed on November 13 in the city of Boston, Massachusetts, in the United States, with the participation of:

• David Garza Salazar, Executive President of Tec de Monterrey
• Guillermo Torre Amione, Rector of TecSalud
• Bruce D. Walker, Director of the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard
• Marcela del Carmen, President of the Massachusetts General Hospital
• Facundo Batista, Associate Director and Scientific Director of the Ragon Institute 
• Alison Ringel, principal investigator at the Ragon Institute 

The work of the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard

The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard is a biomedical research institution dedicated to finding innovative solutions for infectious diseases.

Its main focus is on immunology research, tackling diseases such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, and other emerging infections, and seeking to develop effective immunological therapies and vaccines.

Besides its work on HIV, the Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard is also developing research in the area of immune response to COVID.

The institute includes scientists from disciplines such as biology, medicine, engineering, and computer science to tackle biomedical challenges through an interdisciplinary perspective.

The Tec and health research

Tecnológico de Monterrey has established promoting research as one of its priorities for 2030.

It has also announced that it seeks to develop cutting-edge medical education with the new Health Sciences Campus being built in Nuevo León next to the Zambrano Hellion hospital of TecSalud, the Tec’s health system.

This project will seek to include three major areas for health advancements: the training of highly qualified professionals, high quality medical attention, and advanced scientific research.

The Health Sciences Campus will focus on strategic areas such as immunotherapy, transplants, and cell and gene therapy.

The Tec is also making significant efforts in areas such as cell therapy research for diabetes, led by Dr. Per-Olof Berggren, and the search for innovative immunological treatments for patients with cancer, developed by Dr. Alejandro Madrigal.

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