BioRegion of Catalonia Report

The indicators of the BioRegion of Catalonia 2025 Report show a sector that is consolidating its maturity and positioning itself as one of the country’s main drivers of innovation and economic and social development. Catalonia is strengthening its leadership as a health innovation hub in Europe thanks to growth in investment, exports, excellence in research and clinical activity. 

• The ecosystem accounts for 7.6% of Catalonia’s GDP and has consolidated its position as the country’s 3rd largest economic activity in terms of GVA and employment. It comprises 1,650 companies (+8.3% year-on-year) and 94 research institutions.
• The sector reaches €48.691 billion in turnover and exceeds 306,000 jobs (7.3% of the employed population). 90% of companies are SMEs and 93.4% are concentrated in the province of Barcelona, despite a gradual territorial decentralisation.
• Catalonia regains 1st position in Spain in exports of healthcare products, with €9.165 billion (45.7% of the national total), with Switzerland, Germany, France and the United States as its main markets.
• Between 2021 and 2025, foreign direct investment (FDI) totalled €2.382 billion and generated 5,567 new jobs, with AstraZeneca’s strategic commitment playing a key role.
• Historic record of investment in health startups and scaleups: €517 million in 2025 (+43% vs. 2024 and +7% vs. the previous peak in 2022).
• Venture capital remains the main source of funding, with €327.6 million raised. 82% of transactions included international investors, consolidating the global projection of the BioRegion of Catalonia.
• Competitive public funding reached an all-time high of €124.3 million in grants, mainly from European funds. Venture debt amounted to €31 million and the stock market contributed €30 million.
• By subsector, biotech led investment attraction with €347 million (68% of the total), followed by medtech (€92 million) and digital health (€71 million).
• The entrepreneurial ecosystem continues to grow, with 464 active startups and 168 spinoffs created since 2016.
• Catalonia participated in 297 Horizon projects (2020–2024) in life sciences and health, ranking 1st in Europe in projects per million inhabitants and 2nd in funding per million inhabitants. It has secured 64 ERC grants.
• Scientific output (2020–2024) reached 54,521 publications, nearly 35% of the national total, including 1,791 Highly Cited Papers. Catalonia ranks 1st in Europe in the percentage of high-impact articles over total publications.
• Catalan centres are involved in 5,768 active clinical trials (92% of the national total), placing Catalonia 4th in Europe and 7th worldwide. Oncology remains the leading therapeutic area.
• The clinical pipeline includes 71 assets under development (51 molecules and 20 advanced therapies), almost double the figure in 2020, with strong maturity in Phase II and III stages. The main areas are oncology, central nervous system and dermatology.
• The 2025 Report also highlights the momentum of artificial intelligence in healthcare, the integration of ESG criteria, female leadership in entrepreneurship and new strategic infrastructures that strengthen the competitiveness of the BioRegion of Catalonia.