The decision to hold the next two editions of BIOSPAIN, one of the most important international biotechnology events in Europe, in Barcelona, consolidates the city as the epicenter of the sector. In fact, the BioRegion of Catalonia currently leads the national biotech ecosystem, both in terms of number of biotech companies and in terms of turnover and attraction of international investment.

In this context, the Barcelona City Council is working in coordination with Biocat, the Government of Catalonia and the Spanish Association of Biocompanies (AseBio), which organizes and promotes the event, to establish the city as the venue for the biannual celebration of BIOSPAIN from 2029 onwards.

Barcelona, scientific capital, biotech epicenter and a benchmark in health innovation

In 2023, Catalonia once more led the number of biotech companies, with more than 24% of the total number of companies and over 35% of the total turnover at national level.

Barcelona’s role as a biotech epicenter of reference on a global scale has been fundamental in consolidating its position as a permanent venue for the biennial event. Jordi Valls, deputy mayor for Economy, Finance, Economic Promotion and Tourism of the Barcelona City Council, states that

“Barcelona is the scientific and health capital of Spain and southern Europe. Our city and its metropolitan area is home to most of Spain’s pharmaceutical industry, as well as the main research centers in the biomedical field; we are leaders in clinical trials and scientific production.”

Valls adds that this fact “is not by coincidence”, rather it is part of the city’s strategy for science, innovation and technology, also in health, as an engine of progress and well-being, and concludes:

“That is why we are delighted to host the next two editions of BIOSPAIN, because we are convinced that they will find the best ecosystem to continue growing and gaining international impact, and, at the same time, because it confirms the rightness of the municipal bet and consolidates Barcelona as one of the epicenters of biomedicine to Europe.”

BIOSPAIN, a leading event in Europe

The main objective of BIOSPAIN is to promote innovation, investment, collaboration and the identification of new business opportunities, and has contributed to the consolidation and internationalization of the biotechnology sector at the national level.

In the words of Rocío Arroyo, president of AseBio,

“to hold this congress again in Barcelona will allow us to consolidate our projection and impact on an international scale. We want to share the achievements of an industry that plays a leading role in the future and is key to Europe’s strategic autonomy, with more than 2,000 participants from all over the world.

BIOSPAIN’s last edition, also held in Barcelona in September 2023, was the most attended in its history. It exceeded both the number of participants -30% more than the last pre-pandemic edition held in 2018-, as well as the number of participating companies, exhibitors, international representation and number of investors of previous editions. In sum, more than 1,000 companies from 34 countries participated in the event. Catalan companies accounted for a third of the total number of attendees. As for the exhibitors, 260 had their own stand, in a space that facilitated collaboration with more than 80 accredited investors. In addition, there were over 5,000 partnering meetings.

According to Robert Fabregat, CEO of Biocat,

“it is a pleasure to have contributed to the fact that BIOSPAIN has chosen Barcelona as its venue for its 2025 and 2027 editions. This decision reflects the international recognition of our ecosystem as a reference in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sector. The collaboration with the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Council has been fundamental to achieve this milestone and to consolidate Barcelona as a recurrent meeting point in Europe in the coming years.”