Barcelona to host BIOSPAIN in 2025 and 2027

The Spanish Bioindustry Association (AseBio) has announced that BIOSPAIN, one of the biggest international biotechnology events in Europe, will be held in Barcelona in 2025 and 2027. This decision is thanks to the coordinated collaboration of Biocat, the Government of Catalonia and the Barcelona City Council. The association intends to hold BIOSPAIN 2029 in Barcelona too.

So, the 12th edition will be held October 7 through 9, 2025, at the Montjuïc Fira de Barcelona fairgrounds, expecting to welcome more than 2,000 professionals from 1,000 organizations working in healthcare, sustainable agrifood and climate change solutions.

Biocat CEO Robert Fabregat said, “Biocat is very proud to have helped bring BIOSPAIN back to Barcelona in 2025 and 2027. This decision reflects the international recognition of our ecosystem as a benchmark in the biotechnology and biopharmaceutical sector. Collaboration from the Government of Catalonia and Barcelona City Council has been key to achieving this milestone and consolidating Barcelona as a recurring meeting point in Europe for the coming years.”

The previous edition of BIOSPAIN, also held in Barcelona in September 2023, had the biggest turnout in the event’s history. Motivated by this success, AseBio has chosen to host the event in the Catalan capital again, believing this continuity will ensure equally outstanding results for the future editions.

Barcelona and Catalonia, benchmarks in healthcare  

According to data from the annual AseBio report on the biotechnology sector, in 2023 Catalonia again led in number of biotech companies, with 24% of all businesses in Spain, and accounted for over 35% of the national joint turnover. Catalonia’s companies also have the highest average turnover in this sector, which is strategic for the economy countrywide, contributing 1.26% of the GDP.

As a whole, the BioRegion of Catalonia is made up of over 1,400 companies and 91 research institutions that, along with health services, generate 7.9% of the Catalan GDP and employ nearly 6.5% of the working population, according to the 2023 BioRegion of Catalonia Report.  

Catalan Minister of Business and Labor Miquel Sàmper believes that Catalonia hosting this international event again is closely tied to the fact that “the biotech sector is a key part of what makes Catalonia an innovative region.” “Our pharmaceutical and technological ecosystems are very competitive on a global level. Together, these sectors are a driving force that contributes a lot to our R&D expenditure, which makes up 25% of all such spending in Spain and contributes 4.1% to our GDP. Plus, we are leaders in the number of innovative companies and patent applications,” Sàmper added.  

Barcelona, epicenter of biotechnology 

BIOSPAIN 2023 exceeded all previous editions in number of participants (30% more than the previous pre-pandemic edition in 2018), participating organizations, exhibitors, international representation and number of investors. In figures, more than 2,200 professionals from 1,000 organizations in 34 countries took part in the event. Catalan companies were one third of the total. In terms of exhibitors, 260 had their own stand in a space that facilitated collaboration with more than 80 accredited investors. Plus, over 5,000 partnering meetings were scheduled during the event.

Barcelona’s role as the global epicenter of biotechnology has been key to consolidating its position as the permanent location for this event, which is held every two years.“Barcelona is the capital of science and healthcare for Spain and southern Europe. Our city and its metropolitan area have the highest concentration of the pharmaceutical industry in Spain, as well as top biomedical research centers. We are leaders in clinical trials and scientific output. This is no coincidence. It is part of the city’s strategy on science, innovation and technology, as well as healthcare, as a driving force for economic growth and wellbeing. That is why we are pleased to host the next two editions of BIOSPAIN, because we firmly believe that they will find the best ecosystem to continue growing and increasing their international impact, and also because it backs the city’s commitment to the sector and consolidates Barcelona as one of the epicenters of biomedicine in Europe,” noted Jordi Valls, deputy mayor for Economy, Tax, Economic Promotion and Tourism of the Barcelona City Council.

A leading event in Europe   

BIOSPAIN is one of the leading biotechnology events in Europe, which aims to promote innovation, investment, collaboration and new business opportunities.  The event has helped consolidate and internationalize the Spanish biotechnology sector and its current size reflects this growing maturity. According to the 2023 AseBio Report, Spain has nearly 1,000 purely biotechnology companies and over 4,400 companies with biotechnology as a secondary activity. The total joint turnover for the sector was nearly €20 billion, with €6.8 billion in value added, and €228 million in investment attracted.  

In the words of AseBio President Rocío Arroyo, “BIOSPAIN is the benchmark event for bringing together the Spanish biotechnology sector and showcasing its unstoppable growth and transformative potential. Holding this congress in Barcelona again will allow us to consolidate our international projection and impact. We want to share the achievements of this core industry for the future that is key to Europe’s strategic autonomy, with over 2,000 participants from various countries. We can’t wait to meet again to renew our commitment to science, innovation and society.”

• Learn more about the event and the latest edition on this link.