10th edition of the BioRegion of Catalonia Report
The tenth edition of the BioRegion of Catalonia Report was a significant milestone in the history of this benchmark study, which Biocat has been compiling since 2009.
The presentation of the 2024 BioRegion of Catalonia Report brought together nearly 700 professionals from the sector and over 400 more on the live stream, seeing record turnout and consolidating the event as one of the main annual meeting points for the life sciences and healthcare ecosystem in Catalonia.
Beyond presenting the main indicators for health innovation, research, investment and competitiveness, the event allowed for an analysis of the sector’s evolution and discussion of some of the strategic challenges that will shape its future. For the first time, the event was extended to a full day and combined data presentations with panel discussions, conversations and conferences on key issues like public-private partnership, European competitiveness, the environmental sustainability of the health sector, funding for startups and scaleups, market access for innovations and the development of advanced therapies.
The Report highlighted the strength and maturity of the BioRegion of Catalonia, which has more than 1,500 companies, nearly a hundred research institutions —including hospitals and universities— and joint turnover of roughly €45 billion, making up 7.6% of Catalonia’s GDP. In a complex international context, the sector’s startups and scaleups secured nearly €350 million in investment, the second-best figure ever, with venture capital playing a prominent role, contributing €278 million, or 80% of the total.
This edition also showed Catalonia’s commitment to strategic areas like advanced therapies and artificial intelligence applied to health. In advanced therapies, the Catalan ecosystem consolidated its prominent position, with 21 treatments in clinical development and more than 60 active trials in this arena. In artificial intelligence for health, the Report identified 155 companies, 112 of which are startups and scaleups, developing technologies applied to areas like personalized medicine, telemedicine, big data and medical imaging.
The study also strengthened Catalonia’s international positioning in health innovation. The BioRegion maintained its noteworthy presence in clinical research, ranking fifth in Europe and eighth in the world in participation in clinical trials, and continued to attract innovation hubs from multinational corporations, with 23 new centers established in the region in recent years. This data confirmed Catalonia’s ability to combine scientific excellence, entrepreneurial activity, investment attraction and connection with the industrial fabric.
The event featured prominent representatives from the ecosystem, companies, research centers, hospitals, investors, institutions and international stakeholders. It also had the institutional support of President of the Government of Catalonia Salvador Illa, Catalan Minister of Research and Universities Núria Montserrat and Catalan Minister of Health Olga Pané, reinforcing the sector’s strategic value as a driving force for the country’s economy and society.
For the tenth edition, the event also featured commemorative elements highlighting the history of the Report as a tool for knowledge, analysis and positioning of the BioRegion. The celebration included a look back at past editions, special activities throughout the day and a festive atmosphere that helped highlight a decade of sector analysis.
