InvestmentEcosystem
Picks of January: BioRegion kicks off the year with investment in startups, new companies landing and cutting-edge research, giving us reasons to be optimistic about 2025
The year started off with a month packed with activities and significant advances for the BioRegion of Catalonia, with new investment, research advances, startup and scaleup growth, and new strategic projects that will reinforce its position in the world. Here’s a selection of the top news stories from January:
- This month was particularly noteworthy for healthcare startups and scaleups in Catalonia, which continue to attract investment. First of all, Sycai Medical closed a €3 million round that will move them closer to the US market. Also, Dycare raised nearly €1.2 million on the Capital Cell platform.
- Plus, EXPANSIÓN, in collaboration with Biocat, published their Top 20 rounds of funding in 2024, with an advance look at the total investment secured by these companies. This key indicator will be revealed on February 17 at the presentation of the 2024 BioRegion of Catalonia Report.
- In news from startups and scaleups, Heura Foods, a company that sells plant-based protein, inaugurated a new laboratory in 22@ to boost its innovation capacity. This space features advanced technology and focuses on integrating disciplines of science to develop new products. Also, Peptomyc, which specializes in tumor treatments, started a phase 2 clinical trial with its star drug, OMO-103, to treat advanced osteosarcoma. Vitalera, a digital health firm that focuses on patient monitoring, has successfully completed the initial steps to get MDR Class IIa certification. This will allow them to advance towards marketing their healthcare products in the EU. To finish up, Aptadel Therapeutics, which researches innovative therapeutic applications, has forged a partnership with a US foundation to reinforce its projects in the early stages.
- Turning to venture capital managers in Catalonia, Invivo Capital debuted its third investment fund with a first investment of €20 million in Neumirna Therapeutics, a Danish company that is developing RNA therapies for epilepsy. For its part, Asabys Partners has co-led a financing round of 47.6 million euros in the Valencian company Quibim, a company that works in image diagnostics using artificial intelligence (AI).
- In the business arena, Grifols signed a contract with the Spanish Ministry of Health valued at €281 million to ensure the supply of essential components like immunoglobulin, albumin and factor VIII, and HIPRA launched Hipra Biotech Services, a division to provide biological product development and manufacturing services for third parties. Oryzon Genomics was named one of the top 800 European companies in R&D investment, with the highest investment in R&D per employee of any Spanish company.
- Two companies in the sector have committed to the region by setting up new production plants here: Synkotech Biocompatible Materials, a company that develops biocompatible materials, has inaugurated its first production plant in Reus, and Madrid-based company Biotecnología Bioeconómica will invest €12 million in Alcarràs (Lleida) to build a plant to make fertilizers, biostimulants and fats for cosmetic and pharmaceutical use from organic waste.
- These and other companies, like all stakeholders in the ecosystem, are invited to the presentation of BIOSPAIN 2025 on February 18 at the Barcelona Science Park during Barcelona Health Innovation Week. You can still take part!
- Regarding research and new scientific discoveries, an international study led by Hospital Clinic Barcelona has reached a turning point in treating liver cancer. The research has identified a new combination of drugs that keeps the disease under control 46% longer in patients with inoperable non-metastatic tumors.
- This monthly summary is just a small sample of how the city of Barcelona and Catalonia as a whole are consolidating their place as a hub of innovation in the life sciences and healthcare. The Life Sciences BCN report by Barcelona Global, with support from Biocat, calls the Catalan capital a strategic location for research and innovation.
- Before finishing, we have to remember the loss of Dr. Joan Guinovart, founder of the Institute for Research in Biomedicine (IRB), promoter of the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) and a key member of the Catalan scientific community. Guinovart has left an immense legacy as a researcher and leader in advancing biomedical research in this country.