Timeline
Creation of the Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation
Three years after the death of Dr. Antoni Esteve i Subirana, his wife, Paquita Soler, and their children decided to honor the memory of the distinguished pharmacist by creating the Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation.
Founded with the clear objective of promoting research in pharmacology, the Foundation became a living testament to his legacy and dedication to science and medicine. The first Board of Trustees was chaired by Dr. Josep Esteve i Soler and included two more of the doctor’s children—Montserrat and Joan Esteve i Soler—along with Mr. Joaquim Targa i Cuyàs.
First international steps
The Foundation began its work under the presidency of Dr. Josep Esteve i Soler and the scientific direction of Dr. Sergi Erill, taking inspiration from the English CIBA Foundation, recognized by Lord William Henry Beveridge as a meeting point for scientists.
The 1st International Symposium of the Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation was held with participation from leading researchers worldwide, addressing topics such as drug–protein binding.
This milestone marked the beginning of a series of international symposia exploring diverse areas of pharmacology in the years that followed.
Promoting research
Researchers from across Spain gathered at a round table organized by the Foundation to discuss challenges in treating severe S. aureus infections.
This format, now with more than 30 editions, has since explored topics such as advanced therapies, gender perspectives, and research in clinical settings.
Recognizing excellence: the Research Award
The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation established the Research Award to recognize the best pharmacology research article published by Spanish authors in an international journal. The first awardees came from the Department of Pharmacology at the University of the Basque Country’s Faculty of Medicine, honored for their article on antidepressants in the British Journal of Pharmacology.
Since then, more than 17 awards have been granted to research centers throughout Spain.
Commitment to scientific communication
In collaboration with the newspaper La Vanguardia, the Foundation organized the first International Symposium on Science Journalism in Barcelona, opening dialogue between scientists and the media to help disseminate scientific knowledge.
The event fostered interaction between the scientific and media sectors, improving public understanding of scientific progress.
The symposium also led to the creation of the Catalan Association for Science Communication, among other initiatives.
Digital connection
The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation launched its first website, marking the beginning of a new era in scientific outreach and engagement with the scientific community and the general public. From that moment on, its website has evolved continuously, offering free access to publications and registration for its activities.
Academic Compilation
Publication of the first volume of the Pharmacotherapy Revisited series, compiling key articles in the history of pharmacology for academic training.
Training for innovation
The first course was launched with the goal of providing young researchers with essential scientific skills often not covered in formal studies. These sessions addressed topics such as applying for research funding, writing scientific articles, and improving interactions with the media.
With more than 275 editions carried out in Catalonia, other regions of Spain, and abroad, the courses have trained over 7,600 professionals, reinforcing the Foundation’s commitment to scientific capacity building.
Centennial celebration
The 100th anniversary of the birth of Dr. Antoni Esteve i Subirana was celebrated in the Llotja de Mar in Barcelona, bringing together important people to pay homage to his scientific legacy.
Expanding scientific outreach
Publication of the first Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation Notebooks, a series dedicated to exploring topics related to research and scientific communication.
With more than 50 titles, the collection offers a rich view of medicine and science, covering subjects from the impact of TV series to the role of women in 20th‑century biomedicine.
Launch of the Scientific Dialogues
The Foundation inaugurated the first Esteve Foundation Discussion Group, a space for debate on cutting‑edge topics in pharmacological research. Themes have included migraine, addiction genetics, pain memory, and heteromers, among others.
Bridging science and media
The course “Scientists in the Media Spotlight” was launched as a joint initiative of the Foundation, the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) and the public television network (RTVE). With more than 20 editions and over 500 researchers trained, the program strengthens collaboration between scientists and journalists in communicating research.
Educating through science
The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation published The Medicines and Me, a pedagogical book explaining how medicines work, aimed particularly at children. With illustrations by Marta Capdevila, the book makes science accessible and engaging for younger audiences.
Renovation and celebration
On its 35th anniversary, the Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation refreshed its institutional identity under a unified visual style. With a new, more accessible website, the Foundation celebrated its long-standing contribution to pharmacological research.
New presidency
Dr. Montserrat Esteve i Soler became president of the Foundation’s second Board of Trustees, joined by Joan Esteve i Soler and Antoni Esteve i Cruella.
Adversity and resilience
Despite the challenges of the COVID‑19 pandemic, the Foundation continued its work and organized the online debate “Impatient Science”, analyzing challenges and possible missteps during the health crisis with experts in pharmacology, publishing, and science communication.
A new generation
The third generation of Dr. Antoni Esteve i Subirana assumed the leadership of the Foundation’s Board of Trustees.
Innovation for the future
The Foundation promoted research in advanced therapies, marking a new chapter in its history and reaffirming its commitment to innovation and scientific progress.
Scientific Philanthropy Award
The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation received the 2023 National Research Award, in the category of Scientific Philanthropy, granted by the Government of Catalonia.
This award recognizes the Foundation’s four decades of contributions to pharmacology research at both national and international levels.
Creation of the UB – Dr. Antoni Esteve i Subirana Chair
Reorientation and transformation of the Foundation
The Dr. Antoni Esteve Foundation’s mission found a new vehicle through the Chair and the Research Awards.
Dr. Antoni Esteve i Subirana
His entrepreneurial spirit and his vocation for pharmacology led him to create the first original specialties on the second floor of the pharmacy that his family had had for five generations.
