Spain Can Make the Definitive Leap in Biomedical Research: From Scientific Powerhouse to Global Leader

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The 19th Conference of the Biomedical Research Technology Platforms brings together more than 200 representatives from public administrations, academia, patient organizations, and industry in Barcelona

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Experts highlight that Spain’s research ecosystem must continue advancing in collaboration, knowledge transfer, and business development to generate innovation that delivers impact for patients and drives national growth in an increasingly competitive international environment

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Barcelona, 28 May 2026 – More than 200 representatives from the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical technology and animal health industries, together with experts from the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), regional administrations, research institutes, patient organizations, start-ups, pharmaceutical companies and medical technology firms gathered today in Barcelona for the 19th Conference of the Biomedical Research Technology Platforms, a leading forum dedicated to fostering collaboration and advancing health research, development and innovation (R&D&I) in Spain.

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Organised by Farmaindustria, AseBio, Fenin, Veterindustria and Nanomed Spain, the conference highlighted the importance of strengthening public-private collaboration and moving towards more effective cooperation models between academia and industry. Spain has a unique opportunity to position itself as one of the world’s leading centres for healthcare innovation. While already recognised as a European leader in clinical research, consolidating its role as a global biomedical research hub will require scaling beyond traditional public-private partnership models and fostering deeper collaboration throughout the various stages of developing new medicines and therapies.

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Against a European backdrop shaped by initiatives such as the European Health Data Space (EHDS), the forthcoming European Biotech Act, and Spain’s National Deep Tech Strategy, participants agreed that the challenge extends beyond accelerating research. It also involves ensuring stable and effective collaboration capable of translating scientific knowledge into tangible solutions that improve people’s lives.

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During the opening session, Fina Lladós, President of Farmaindustria, stressed the need for a qualitative leap to transform scientific knowledge into business growth and globally competitive projects. She also drew attention to the current geopolitical landscape, describing it as “full of threats, risks and intense competition both within and beyond Europe.”

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“To address this situation, three essential elements are required,” she stated. “A strong commitment from public administrations to place R&D at the centre of strategic priorities; greater investment, particularly during the most complex stages of drug development; and a stable, predictable and agile regulatory environment that facilitates new projects and provides confidence to those willing to invest and grow in our country.”

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A similar message was conveyed by Cristina Nadal, President of AseBio:

“Spain has a world-class scientific and biomedical foundation, but we must also transform that excellence into greater industrial capacity, attract more investment, and ensure that innovation reaches patients and society. Biotechnology is strategic for strengthening competitiveness, technological sovereignty and security, while addressing major health and environmental challenges. At this decisive moment, initiatives such as the Biotech Act represent a unique opportunity to strengthen the innovation ecosystem, and Spain has the potential to establish itself as a key player in European biotechnology development.”

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Scaling Innovation

From the perspective of the medical technology sector, experts focused on key issues that will shape the future of healthcare systems, including the integration of industrial and scientific capabilities, the scalability of innovation, and the creation of environments that facilitate the adoption of disruptive solutions.

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Participants also emphasised the growing role of both Spain and Catalonia as biomedical and technological innovation hubs capable of connecting research, industry and healthcare delivery to enhance competitiveness and improve patient care.

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As Andreas Förster, Acting President of Fenin Catalunya, noted, the conference highlighted “the need to integrate scientific, technological and industrial capabilities to accelerate the arrival of innovative solutions for patients and healthcare professionals.”

“At Fenin, we believe that medical technology is a key driver in addressing the challenges of tomorrow, particularly in areas such as digitalisation, artificial intelligence, health data and advanced biomedical innovation. Dialogue forums such as this one are essential to consolidating Spain’s position as an international hub for health innovation,” he added.

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From the animal health perspective, Santiago de Andrés, President of the Vet+i Foundation, emphasised the strategic importance of animal health within the One Health approach.

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According to the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), approximately 60% of human infectious diseases originate in animals, while nearly 75% of emerging diseases are zoonotic. In this context, innovation, digitalisation and strengthening Europe’s industrial strategic autonomy are essential to improving prevention, surveillance and preparedness for future health crises.

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In line with the objective of consolidating Spain as a leading biomedical innovation hub, Josep Samitier, Scientific Coordinator of Nanomed Spain, highlighted one of the sector’s major challenges: effectively translating scientific knowledge into real health impact.

“Within the framework of this conference, we organised a roundtable focused on how to accelerate this process by addressing the main challenges and opportunities throughout the entire value chain, from research to clinical application. The session brought together leading figures from academia, industry and the healthcare system to discuss how to strengthen public-private collaboration, improve innovation models and align scientific and industrial excellence, with the goal of transforming scientific advances into real-world solutions that benefit patients and enhance our country’s competitiveness.”

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Nearly Two Decades Strengthening the Innovation Ecosystem

The Annual Conference of the Biomedical Research Technology Platforms marks almost two decades as a collaborative space bringing together companies, research centres and public administrations, helping to strengthen Spain’s health innovation ecosystem.

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This year, organisers agreed that consolidating this ecosystem requires continued progress in collaboration, knowledge transfer and business development, with the ultimate goal of generating innovation that delivers meaningful impact on patient health while contributing to the country’s economic and social development.