BioRegion of Catalonia to bolster international presence at BIO 2026 with over 25 Catalan organizations

The BioRegion of Catalonia will once again have a prominent presence at the BIO International Convention in 2026, one of the leading international meeting points for the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries. The event, organized by the Biotechnology Innovation Organization (BIO), will be held from June 22 to 25, 2026 at the San Diego Convention Center in the United States.

With nearly 20,000 participants, the BIO International Convention is considered the world’s leading collaboration platform for the sector. The event brings together innovative emerging companies, international investors, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, institutions and global industry leaders, offering a key space to forge connections, share knowledge and drive new projects.

According to current projections, there will be 44 Spanish organizations at this year’s convention, 26 of which have headquarters in Catalonia. This means the Catalan presence makes up 59% of the Spanish delegation, which reinforces the importance of the BioRegion of Catalonia at one of the sector’s most significant international showcases. The Spanish delegation will be in the Spain Pavilion. 

Program focusing on the sector’s major challenges 

BIO 2026 will address some of the fields transforming biotechnology and healthcare worldwide, including artificial intelligence applied to healthcare and digital health, cell and gene therapies, personalized medicine, next generation biotherapies, oncology and minority diseases.

The program will also include sessions on business development and investment, opportunities in emerging global markets, intellectual property, regulation and commercialization, as well as issues related to translational research, patient access to treatments and health equity.

Highlights include the session “The future of oncology trials: Aligning science, regulation and investment in overall survival”, which will take place on Wednesday, June 24, from 11:00 am to 12 noon in room 32AB. This oncology focused session will feature Oryzon Genomics Senior Vice President of Clinical Development and Global Medical Affairs Ana Limón.

The following day, Thursday, June 25, from 10:15 am to 11:15 am, the session “Fast-tracking biotech innovation in Europe: How and when” will take place in room 25BC. Moderated by Maria Pilar Aguar Fernandez from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Research and Innovation, the panel will discuss emerging opportunities in global markets and feature Xavier Cañas, director of Academic and Commercial Clinical Research at the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR), Vall d’Hebron Barcelona Hospital Campus. 
 

Barcelona Catalonia Networking Reception @BIO 2026 

During the convention, Biocat, the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Council will host the Barcelona Catalonia Networking Reception @BIO 2026, an event designed to connect life sciences and biotechnology professionals from Barcelona Catalonia and the United States.

The reception will take place on Monday, June 22, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., at the Hotel Hilton Bayfront San Diego – The Pool Club 1, Park Boulevard, CA 92101, and will be attended by Roger Albinyana, Secretary for Foreign Affairs of the Government of Catalonia.

The event will bring together the Catalan delegation, international partners, institutional representatives, companies established in the United States, potential collaborators and professionals from the life sciences ecosystem to help forge new connections, explore potential collaborations and open the door to future business opportunities. 

It will also help boost the visibility of Barcelona Catalonia as a leading hub for the life sciences and biotechnology, while showcasing Catalonia’s scientific, business and innovation community on the west coast of the United States. Through this initiative, Biocat, the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Council aim to strengthen ties between the two ecosystems and foster new opportunities for international collaboration.