BioRegion takes part in major international fairs and forums

The BIO International Convention 2025, held from June 16 to 19 in Boston, featured a noteworthy Catalan presence at the world’s premier gathering for the biotechnology industry, which brought together more than 20,000 international leaders from the sector.

The Catalan delegation was significantly larger than the previous year, growing from 37 companies and organizations in 2024 to 51 in 2025, making up 61% of the Spanish pavilion. This increase consolidated Catalonia as the region with the largest representation in Spain and showcased the vibrancy and international appeal of the Catalan biotechnology sector.

One of the highlights of the week was the Catalonia Networking Reception, organized by Biocat, the Government of Catalonia and Barcelona City Council, in collaboration with HIPRA Biotech Services and Grup de Catalans Biotec Boston. The event, held at Harpoon Brewery, brought together more than 200 international professionals and boosted the visibility of the BioRegion of Catalonia in one of the most important settings in the global biotechnology sector.

Health innovation in Catalonia once again played a prominent role at 4YFN 2025, a parallel event to the Mobile World Congress and one of the main international showcases for startups and emerging projects. 

In this context, the Catalonia Health Innovation Ecosystem Pavilion, promoted by Biocat and the TIC Salut i Social Foundation, served as a meeting point for startups, hospitals, institutions, corporations and investors. The space helped connect the innovative offering with the needs of the healthcare system and generate new opportunities for public-private partnership.

One of the central pillars of Catalan participation was the pitches by 16 startups from the BioRegion of Catalonia, which got to showcase their solutions to international stakeholders, investors and experts. Beyond the exhibition activity, various BioRegion of Catalonia stakeholders took part in sessions on the program, providing insights on key topics for the sector’s future, like funding projects, the international expansion of startups, collaboration with corporations and the adoption of innovative solutions in the healthcare system.

For the second year in a row, Barcelona hosted RESI Europe Barcelona 2025, one of the leading international conferences for partnering and early-stage investment in the life sciences. The event, held from April 1 to 3, was organized by Life Sciences Nation with support from Biocat, Barcelona City Council and the Government of Catalonia.

The event brought together more than 450 attendees from nearly 350 companies around the world and over 125 investment firms, particularly from Europe and the United States. These figures consolidated RESI Europe Barcelona as a strategic platform for connecting health-sector startups and scaleups with international investors interested in innovative projects and growth partnerships.

The BioRegion of Catalonia had a prominent presence, with 44 emerging Catalan companies that had the opportunity to pitch their proposals to an international investor audience. In addition, 15 startups from the BioRegion of Catalonia took part in the Innovator’s Pitch Challenge, the event’s pitch competition. Medtech company Mowoot was named the winner, reinforcing the international visibility of Catalan entrepreneurial talent.

Health Tech Forward 2025, held in Barcelona on December 3 and 4, reinforced Catalonia’s position as one of the main European hubs for digital health and medical technology. The event brought together more than 1,000 participants from 45 countries and generated over 3,000 meetings, consolidating its role as an international space for connection, specialized content and high-value networking.

The Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council and Biocat participated as ecosystem partners, boosting the visibility of Barcelona and Catalonia in the field of digital health. One of the central elements was The BioRegion of Catalonia Pavilion, led by Biocat, which served as an international showcase for 10 Catalan digital health and medical technology startups. At the pavilion, the companies were able to present their solutions, hold strategic meetings and connect with investors, corporations and international stakeholders.

The Catalonia Startup Pitch completed this visibility initiative, giving the selected startups a platform to showcase the potential and diversity of Catalan healthcare entrepreneurship to a global audience.