InvestmentInnovation
Picks of February: new facilities, cutting-edge research and lots of sector activities
This has been a hectic month for the healthcare innovation ecosystem with a packed agenda for Barcelona Health Innovation Week (BHIW). Among the many activities, one highlight was the presentation of the 2024 BioRegion of Catalonia Report, which highlighted the sector’s key trends, challenges, and opportunities. Let’s take a look at the top news stories from this month!
- Starting with the expansion of startups and scaleups, biotech firm Integra Therapeutics moved its headquarters to the new Advanced Therapies Platform at Hospital Sant Joan de Déu (SJD), making it the first company in this innovative hospital ecosystem for research and development of new advanced therapies. Digital health firm Doctomatic received FDA approval, which validates their technology as a complementary solution for managing patients’ health, including monitoring and handling non-contagious diseases. Heura Foods has also been in the news, opening a new laboratory to bolster their research into plant-based proteins and continue developing sustainable alternatives to animal source foods. Plus, acceXible, MiMARK, Time is Brain and OneChain announced this month that they have joined the Access to the Catalan Health System Program (PASS) Support Unit to help test the service.
- Turning to rounds of funding, Zymvol, a startup that is developing enzymes using computer simulations, closed a €3 million round. They will use these funds to drive research and expansion in the field of enzyme design and discovery for the pharmaceutical and chemical industries.
- In terms of new projects and facilities in science and technology, the Clinic Barcelona Comprehensive Cancer Center was announced on World Cancer Day (February 4). This center is a joint initiative of Hospital Clinic Barcelona, University of Barcelona and August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS) to bring together healthcare, research, innovation and training in one place to become a benchmark in the fight against cancer. Barcelona also debuted the first Spanish quantum computer with 100% European technology, making the city a benchmark technology hub in quantum computing with potential applications in biomedicine and pharmacology.
- Looking at pharmaceutical firms in the BioRegion, Almirall sold off two of its flu lines to focus on its main business: dermatology. The company’s turnover was 10% higher in 2024. Additionally, Thomas Glanzmann decided not to stand for re-election as president of Grifols at the next shareholders’ meeting, after his two year contract expired. Anne-Catherine Berner, an independent advisor, will take over as non-executive president. Also worth noting, Jordi Muntañola was named CEO of Salvat after having held various executive positions at Esteve. His mission will be to drive the company’s international growth, particularly in the United States.
- Hospital de Bellvitge has become one of the first hospitals in Spain with four surgical robots, strengthening its leadership in robotic surgery and advanced technologies for minimally invasive procedures, and Hospital Clinic Barcelona was recognized as the best Spanish hospital on the 2025 Brand Finance Top 100. The same center also commemorated diagnosis of its first case of COVID-19 five years ago.
- Catalan scientists have faithfully recreated the tumor environment to research new strategies to fight cancer. This model will allow researchers to study the disease more precisely and develop personalized therapies.
- And to continue research, the ”la Caixa” Foundation announced a record investment of €655 million for 2025 to drive research in biomedicine and the life sciences in Catalonia.
- We’d also like to take this opportunity to congratulate Peptomyc CEO Laura Soucek on her City of Barcelona Award in the Life Sciences for her career and groundbreaking contributions in oncology. Also, femtech firm OXOLIFE and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona were awarded the Catalonia.Health 2025 Award at the 11th Catalonia.Health Gala. Congratulations!
- The third edition of Barcelona Health Innovation Week 2025 saw record turnout and a packed schedule of activities that made the BioRegion of Catalonia the epicenter of healthcare innovation for the week. This year, there were 55 activities on innovation in healthcare, research, entrepreneurship, funding and new technologies with over 3,000 participants. Thanks to the more than 50 organizations that took advantage of this opportunity to share their innovation, open the doors to their facilities and present their news.
- To finish off this section, Biocat and the TIC Salut Social Foundation published the program of activities that will take place at the Catalonia Health Innovation Ecosystem Pavilion, which for the second year in a row will bring together the healthcare innovation ecosystem in Catalonia and where visitors can meet with the 16 innovative startups taking part in MWC-4YFN. Come visit us!