Ecosystem
Picks of March: BioRegion expanding: more investment, more hospital innovation and more international ambition
This month has brought a significant mix of major corporate operations, clinical advances and new structural assets for Catalonia’s health innovation ecosystem. Hospitals being transformed, startups gaining recognition and funding, international research and companies accelerating beyond Spain all point to a more mature, more technological BioRegion that is more connected to global markets. The big picture is clear: not only is the volume of activity increasing, but so is strategic innovation.
- Funding gained momentum this month with three new deals. Healthtech company HLA secured €2.1 million to enter the United States in a round with a clear focus on internationalization, Aptadel Therapeutics raised €2 million for its pediatric cancer treatment, University of Lleida spinoff Nema Health secured €1 million to advance in metastatic melanoma, and Robopedics raised €1.9 million to bring Awake to market.
- This last startup (Robopedics) was also one of 16 companies in the Catalonia Health Innovation Ecosystem Pavilion, led by Biocat and TIC Salut i Social for the third year in a row at 4YFN.
- In addition to this momentum, Biorce, Pola NanoPharma, The Blue Box and Predictheon gained international recognition, standing out at competitions and awards like the 4YFN Awards and the World Health Expo in Dubai.
- Large corporations also made strategic moves in March. Kymos Group acquired Particle Analytical to strengthen its European expansion and Grifols acquired Canadian Plasma Resources to continue with its diversification strategy. Meanwhile, Intuitive Surgical acquired the Da Vinci robot distributor from Palex and Almirall opened a new branch in Shanghai to grow its medical dermatology business in the Asian market. All this comes at the same time as the Catalan Ministry of Health signing a strategic agreement with Farmaindustria to bolster biopharmaceutical innovation within a framework of sustainability.
- In terms of new initiatives and facilities, the Government has launched the Innofab project, a semiconductor center in Cerdanyola in which it has invested €398 million, with potential impact on industrial capabilities related to healthcare. The new Hospital Trueta in Girona continues to progress as a strategic project for the country and Hospital del Mar inaugurated the second phase of its expansion, with more than €160 million invested, featuring new beds, high complexity operating rooms, an ICU and strengthened mental health services.
- This expansion of hospital capacity is complemented by strong research and innovation activity. Hospital Sant Joan de Déu in Barcelona implanted the world’s smallest pacemaker in a 2.1 kg newborn, Fundació Puigvert launched Europe’s first clinical program in robotic telesurgery in Barcelona and the Canary Islands, and Bellvitge University Hospital launched Spain’s first program for rare diseases in adults with a precision medicine approach.
- Research this month stood out in oncology and neuroscience. Firstly, Catalan researcher Judith Agudo led a study in Boston on a drug to prevent metastasis in severe cancers. Additionally, the CNAG has advanced in the use of cerebrospinal fluid to better understand brain diseases. At universities, the UB launched VISI-ON-BRAIN, a neuroscience research network using advanced human models.
- In this same context of knowledge valorization, Biocat launched the second edition of ATMP Catalyst, an accelerator that specializes in advanced therapies and supports scientific projects and startups in the early stages, strengthening the bridge between scientific excellence and the creation of new therapeutic solutions. The deadline for applications is April 24.
- Turning to investment funds, Ysios Capital has strengthened its structure by bringing on Joan Perelló as managing partner and Arturo Urrios as a partner, focusing on a new early stage vertical related to creating new biotech companies in Spain.
- The growing role of specialized capital is also clear at the institutional level: Josep Sanfeliu, founder of Asabys Capital, has been appointed president of Barcelona Global, a move that reinforces the increasing influence of investors in driving the ecosystem’s strategic direction. Plus, entrepreneur Eva García Ramos, CEO and co-founder of Wivi Vision, was appointed president of Catalonia.Health. Congratulations!