Advanced Therapies Network of Catalonia
The Advanced Therapies Network of Catalonia, coordinated by Biocat, drives Catalonia’s leadership in advanced therapies through collaboration among 45 companies and entities to accelerate patient access to innovative treatments and strengthen the local ecosystem.
In 2024, Biocat took a decisive step in consolidating the BioRegion of Catalonia as one of the European leaders in advanced therapies by launching the Advanced Therapies Network of Catalonia. This initiative, coordinated by Biocat, was introduced on June 10 to more than a hundred sector representatives and already has 45 member companies and organizations from the Catalan ecosystem. The event also featured the presentation of the Advanced and Emerging Therapies Program, which will be coordinated by the Blood and Tissue Bank.
Robert Fabregat i Fuentes, CEO of Biocat and coordinator of the Network, outlined the actions that will be implemented to drive and strengthen the advanced therapies ecosystem in Catalonia, structured around five key areas where Biocat will play a leading role:
- Training and retaining talent Technology and knowledge transfer
- Scaleup and production
- Interaction with the healthcare system
- Relations with the ecosystem
The Advanced Therapies Network of Catalonia is a project the Government of Catalonia entrusted to Biocat in order to drive the advanced and emerging therapies ecosystem to ensure patient access to innovative therapeutic solutions and increase the number of clinical trials in this field. The initiative also encourages industrial development and boosts the economic and social impact of this strategic value-added sector.
New in 2024, the Network launched some of the eight work groups created to find specific, collaborative solutions to the various challenges in the field. The groups created are: talent training and retention, public-private partnership, international projection, market and patient access, tissue engineering and bioprinting, and emerging, gene and cell therapies.
Transition towards Advanced Therapies Hub (ATMP Catalonia)
Looking ahead to 2025, the initiative has taken a significant step forward and adopts the name Advanced Therapies Hub (ATMP Catalonia), strengthening its role as a key structure and international reference point for the coordination and centralization of Catalonia’s advanced therapies ecosystem. This year, the completion of the remaining working groups is planned, as well as the launch of new projects such as ATMP Catalyst, an acceleration program that will further boost the sector at both an industrial and innovation level.