BioRegion of Catalonia Report

The indicators of the BioRegion of Catalonia 2024 Report show a sector that is consolidating itself as one of the main drivers of innovation and economic and social development in the country. Catalonia is positioned as one of the most competitive health innovation hubs in Europe, thanks to growth in exports, the attraction of foreign investment, an increase in scientific publications, and growing participation in clinical trials, among others.

• The ecosystem represents 7.6% of Catalonia's GDP and includes over 1,500 companies, 90% of which are small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). 
• Catalonia exports more than 40% and imports more than 32% of the life sciences and health products in Spain, consolidating itself as the second autonomous community with the highest volume of foreign trade in this field. 
• The sector employs over 280,000 people in Catalonia (7.3% of the employed population) and consolidates itself as one of the most important health innovation hubs in Europe, with the constant arrival of international innovation centers and large global multinational companies, mainly in the metropolitan area of Barcelona, where 23 new hubs have been established in recent years. 
• 2024 has set another record in Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), with an investment close to 550 million euros and nearly 1,700 new jobs, once again driven by the multinational AstraZeneca. 
• Health startups and scaleups in Catalonia have raised 347 million euros in 2024, the second-best figure in their history, despite the complex global context. 
• Venture capital has remained the main source of investment with 278 million euros (80% of the total), followed by competitive grants with over 55 million euros, and crowdequity (10 million euros). 
• By subsector, medical technology companies, with 176 million euros, have stood out as the leader in investment attraction, followed by biotechnology companies, with 143 million euros, and the digital health segment, with 24 million euros in investment. 
• The number of exits (Catalan companies acquired or licensed) has reached 11, the highest figure in history, and M&A (mergers and acquisitions) activity has also been intense. 
• 112 health startups and scaleups in Catalonia are working on the application of AI (artificial intelligence). 
• Catalonia is among the top 10 countries in the world with the most participations in clinical trials and ranks 5th in Europe, with 5,368 active clinical trials. Globally, Catalonia is in 8th place. Oncology remains the leading area of research, accounting for 32% of the total. 
• Pipeline: 75 molecules and therapies in clinical development, led by oncology, dermatology, and rare diseases. 65% of these treatments are in advanced stages (II and III), close to commercialization and clinical application to benefit the public. 
• Advanced therapies pipeline: 21 therapies in clinical development, mainly in oncology. These treatments are part of over 60 active clinical trials in advanced therapies in Catalonia, which represent almost 70% of these studies in Spain. Catalonia ranks 5th in Europe and 8th globally in the number of clinical trials with participation from Catalan centers.