International conferences

The BioRegion’s participation in 4YFN 2024, the leading event for startups at Mobile World Congress, was the most significant to date. More than 70 companies and organizations from the Catalan healthcare sector were present, and 12 startups were in the Catalonia Health Innovation Ecosystem pavilion coordinated by Biocat. This large scale presence showcased Catalonia’s innovative potential to investors, corporations and stakeholders from around the world, consolidating 4YFN as a key platform for the international projection of the ecosystem.

The BIO International Convention, held in San Diego, once again served as the world’s premier showcase for biotechnology. The Catalan delegation, coordinated by Biocat, had a prominent presence, with a packed agenda of meetings, networking activities and company and project presentations. This participation helped strengthen international partnerships, attract the interest of global investors and partners, and position Catalonia as a benchmark in biotechnology innovation.

Barcelona hosted the first RESI Europe 2024, one of the most important international partnering conferences for health startups. The event brought together more than 200 investors and enabled Catalan companies to connect directly with investment funds and international corporations. The great turnout for this first edition in Barcelona consolidates the city’s position as a leading hub for healthcare investment in Europe.

Biocat played an active role in Tech Spirit Barcelona, fostering debate around the five key healthcare challenges and the role of technology in addressing them. The event connected startups, corporations and organizations from the digital and healthcare sectors, strengthening cross-sector collaboration.

As part of The Investment Readiness Series (TIRS) – Belgium Edition, eight Catalan healthcare startups got to connect with key investors and corporate partners in Belgium. This initiative facilitated access to new markets and opened the door to future international collaborations, strengthening the international projection of the Catalan ecosystem.

Biocat took part in Advanced Therapies Europe, held in Lisbon, which addressed the main challenges in training and retaining specialized talent in advanced therapies. The BioRegion’s presence enabled the sharing of best practices and strengthened collaboration with other leading European biomedical innovation ecosystems.

Biocat played an active role in BioJapan 2024, held in Yokohama, one of Asia’s most prominent events in biotechnology and regenerative medicine. The Catalan delegation, organized by Biocat, had its own space to promote the Catalan ecosystem and establish contacts with Japanese and international clusters, pharmaceutical companies and investors.

Barcelona hosted HealthTech Forward 2024, one of Europe’s leading conferences on digital health and medical technology. The event brought together entrepreneurs, investors, pharmaceutical companies and major technology corporations to discuss trends shaping the future of health. Biocat collaborated with organizers to facilitate the participation of Catalan startups and professionals, fostering networking and raising the international profile of Catalonia’s digital health ecosystem.

The 18th edition of BIO-Europe Spring was held in Barcelona, cementing the city’s position as a European hub for biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry. Biocat headed up the host committee, and the BioRegion had its own pavilion to highlight its assets and facilitate connections with international partners and investors. The event brought together more than 3,100 executives from around the world and more than 19,000 partnering meetings were held. 

It is also worth highlighting that BIOSPAIN, one of the most important biotechnology congresses in Spain and Europe, will return to Barcelona in 2025, 2027 and 2029, further consolidating the city as an epicenter of innovation in life sciences and healthcare.