About Biocat
Biocat is the driving force behind the healthcare innovation ecosystem in Catalonia, working to scale and consolidate the life sciences and healthcare sector, generating social and economic impact, and positioning the BioRegion of Catalonia as an international benchmark. Established in 2006 at the initiative of the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Council, Biocat is a public-private foundation with governance bodies comprising representatives from all stakeholders, both public and private.
Promote innovation capacity and project the ecosystem
The focal points that underpin Biocat’s strategy are:
- Accelerating technology transfer and business growth through activities that boost capacities in the sector, with special emphasis on value added for research, knowledge transfer, internationalization, access to capital and attracting investment.
- Projecting the ecosystem, establishing strategies and actions to improve awareness of the sector’s assets and potential, and boosting its reputation and visibility both nationally and internationally.
- Fostering the innovative capacities and development of entrepreneurial and research talent through programs to drive new innovative health projects, training and improving the skills of professionals, and preparing future leaders and business managers.
- Connecting stakeholders in the ecosystem with each other and international players to promote synergies and opportunities for growth, thanks to a deep understanding of the ecosystem’s assets and challenges and of the sector’s trends and strategies locally and globally.
Accelerate and promote the BioRegion internationally
Biocat develops and adapts its strategy based on the key challenges and needs of the sector identified periodically, which are used for promoting initiatives and programs to have a social and economic impact. For the 2024-2027 period, five ecosystem challenges have been identified (transforming the healthcare system, business growth and consolidation, implementing new therapeutic strategies, attracting and developing talent, and international positioning of the BioRegion of Catalonia) for Biocat to base its strategy on, incorporating a global health focus as the transversal framework for all its actions in the coming years.
Access to innovation through the Catalan Healthcare System
We coordinate the Catalan Healthcare System Access Program (PASS) to get innovations developed by companies and organizations in Catalonia to the market and patients faster.
Coordination of the Advanced Therapies Network of Catalonia
We coordinate the Network to drive research, manufacturing and development of advanced and emerging therapies, make them more accessible to the public and position Catalonia as a world-renowned hub for ATMPs
Business acceleration and consolidation
We work to help entrepreneurial and research projects reach the market, investment and funding. We support their needs to drive the scale up of the ecosystem.
Developing talent
We offer training programs to help professionals make the most of their talent.
International positioning and projection
We raise awareness of Catalonia’s R&D assets in the life sciences and healthcare nationally and internationally.
Technology transfer and business development
We facilitate the transfer of research to market and help generate business opportunities.
Intelligence in the BioRegion
We are the official source of indicators on the evolution of the healthcare innovation ecosystem in Catalonia.
Strengthening and transforming the ecosystem
Through our partnerships and connections, we position the BioRegion internationally and address global challenges.
Connect, accelerate, project
Vision, mission and values
Vision
Biocat aims to position the BioRegion of Catalonia among the leading ecosystems in Europe with a global impact.
Mission
To maximize the economic and social impact of the life sciences and health innovation ecosystem in Catalonia.
Values
In carrying out its mission, Biocat is always guided by the following values:
Agility
Collaboration
Credibility
Efficiency
Excellence
Singularity
Team and Trustees
- Management
- Team
- Board of Trustees
Management
Executive Committee
Marketing, Communications and Competitive Intelligence Department
Innovation and Business Development Department
Strategic Foresight and International Relations Department
Finance, Administration and Human Resources Department
Management
President:
- Mr. Pere Aragonès i Garcia, President of the Government of Catalonia and President of the Biocat Board of Trustees
First Vice-president:
- Mr. Manel Balcells i Díaz, Catalan Minister of Health and First Vice President of the Biocat Board of Trustees
Second Vice-president:
- Mr. Ignasi Biosca i Reig, CataloniaBio & HealthTech, CEO of Reig Jofré and Second Vice President of the Biocat Board of Trustees
Members:
- Ms. Natàlia Mas i Guix, Catalan Minister of Economy and Finance
- Mr. Joaquim Nadal i Farreras, Catalan Minister of Research and Universities
- Mr. Roger Torrent i Ramió, Catalan Minister for Enterprise and Employment
- Mr. David Mascort i Subiranas, Catalan Minister of Climate Action, Food and the Rural Agenda
- Ms. Jordi Valls Riera, Fourth Deputy Mayor, representative of the Barcelona City Council
- Mr. Antoni Esteve Cruella, representative of Farmaindustria, Director of Esteve Pharmaceuticals and President of AdSalutem
- Ms. Fina Lladós Canela, representative of Farmaindustria, CEO of Amgen
- Ms. Lídia Martín Pereda, representative of Farmaindustria, General Manager of Almirall
- Mr. David Solanes López, representative of Farmaindustria, General Manager of Laboratorios ERN
- Ms. Raquel Tapia Rodríguez, representative of Farmaindustria, General Manager of Sanofi-Aventis
- Ms. Mariona Serra Pagès, representative of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, Co-funder and CEO of GoodGut
- Mr. Joan Puig de Dou, representative of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, President of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, CEO of Kymos Pharma Services
- Mr. Marc Pérez Pey, representative of Fenin Catalonia, President of Fenin Catalonia, Vice-president for Western Europe and Africa at HARTMANN Group
- Mr. José Luís Fernández i Serrat, representative of Fenin Catalonia, General Manager of AB Medica Group
- Ms. Georgina Sorrosal de Luna, representative of the Barcelona Medical Association, Director of Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Barcelona Medical Association
- Mr. Daniel Crespo Artiaga, representative of the Catalan Association of Public Universities, Rector of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC)
- Mr. Francesc Posas Garriga, representative of the Catalan Association of Research Centers, Director of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB)
- Mr. Josep M. Campistol i Plana, representative of research intensive hospitals in Catalonia, General Director of Hospital Clinic Barcelona
- Ms. Maria Terrades i Palomar, representative of the Network of Science and Technology Parks of Catalonia, CEO of Barcelona Science Park
Mr. Lluís García Pareras, partner at Invivo Capital
Secretary:
- Mr. Josep Ramon Arisa i Clusella, Coordinator of Legal Advisory at the Catalan Health Service
Biocat Report of Activities
The Biocat Report, published since 2006, sums up the progress of Biocat’s activity under its strategy to drive the life sciences and healthcare sector in Catalonia. Its pages include the main activities Biocat carried out over the year. These include impact indicators showing the vitality and concerns of the whole sector. In recent years, this has shown spectacular growth and international expansion, as the key figures for 2022 highlight.
Programs and activities organized by Biocat or that Biocat took part in
People attended the 2022 BioRegion Report presentation (in person and online)
Impacts in print, online, radio and TV media