Health & Life Sciences
in Catalonia

A world-class network of medical institutions, hospitals, research centres, biotech startups and pharma companies has turned Barcelona and Catalonia into a leading life sciences hub.

Find your supplier in Health & Life Sciences

Catalonia's thriving life sciences sector.

Catalonia, one of Southern Europe’s most dynamic business environments, is progressively and proactively earning its place as a global hub for life sciences and healthcare innovation. 

With a vigorous ecosystem of nearly 1,400 companies (up 5.45% in 2023), world-class infrastructure, and a progressive policy environment, Catalonia offers unmatched opportunities for international investors and businesses seeking growth in this sector. And growth there is, with 71 investment organizations and between 1 and 1.5 startups being created weekly in the sector.
 

A powerful economic engine for Catalonia

The life sciences sector is a cornerstone of the Catalan economy, contributing 7.9% to the region's GDP (including healthcare services), and representing 6.5% of the working population, a workforce of 69,927 people and a turnover of 42.068 billion euros.  This robust sector, and where Catalonia historically has concentrated over 50% of the Spanish pharmaceutical industry, encompasses biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medtech and the fast-growing digital health sector, which increased by 61% in 2023, compared to 2022.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) underscores the region’s international appeal. Between 2019 and 2023, Catalonia attracted €1.7 billion in life sciences FDI—nearly 45% of Spain’s total—creating over 4,600 jobs. This influx highlights Catalonia’s business -friendly environment and its reputation as a global innovation hub.
 

Barcelona-Catalonia, a leading innovation hub 

Innovation needs the right conditions and Spain’s solid healthcare system, together with high-level scientific facilities, highly qualified professionals, favorable regulations and growing recruitment of subjects, all enhance the attractiveness of its pharmaceutical industry. Furthermore, Spain ranks internationally in 5th place in Europe and 8th in the world in terms of clinical studies, with 88.5% being performed in Catalonia, clearly standing out as the leading region in Spain in this respect.

Catalonia is also 3rd European Region as regards publications in advanced therapies and 6th in terms of advanced medicine patents, as well as the 3rd ranked region in ‘Highly Cited Papers’ patent publications in Europe, and 1st in Spain. Furthermore, centers such as the University of Barcelona and the Hospital Clinic of Barcelona work on advanced therapies and have published 38% of the scientific publications related to Advanced Therapies Medical Products in Spain.

Catalonia’s world-class research infrastructure, featuring over 50 specialized life sciences centers, has propelled the region to the forefront of global healthcare innovation. These institutions, coupled with top-ranked universities such as the University of Barcelona, make Catalonia a magnet for scientific talent and advanced R&D activities.

Furthermore, in line with the Catalan government’s constant emphasis on innovation, in 2023, a new program called ‘Health/AI’ was approved aimed at promoting and developing artificial intelligence in the Catalan health system. So far, 78 entities, ranging from research centers, public health centers and private initiatives, have registered a total of 152 AI projects.
 

“Catalonia is a pharmaceutical hub in Southern Europe, with a full ecosystem of suppliers, top talent and good infrastructures”

David Peix, CEO of Towa

  • 1,393 companies

  • €23,721M in turnover

  • 69,927 employees

Catalonia: A magnet for life sciences FDI

The volume of fDi in the life sciences and healthcare industry totaled €1,702 million in the five-year period 2019-2023, featuring a total of 46 projects, a 31.4% growth over the previous period and representing 41.4% of the Spanish total. Furthermore, the sector has created 4,651 jobs in the same period, up 94.8%.

Proof of this life science spotlight on Catalonia can be seen in the fact that it is the 2nd ranked region in the EU27 with the most jobs created during 2019-2023 and so far in 2024, it ranks 1st in job creation, 3rd in total capex and 4th in fDi projects. No wonder, then, that major companies such as AstraZeneca, Teladoc Health, AGC Pharma Chemicals, and Towa Pharmaceutical have already capitalized on Catalonia’s advantages, establishing significant operations in the region. 

According to the BioRegion Report, 2023, Catalonia’s capital, Barcelona, stands out as a beacon for investment in life sciences, as one of the top cities attracting healthcare investment in Europe, Middle East and Africa region (EMEA) and the only city in Spain to be included in the rankings.

Moreover, Barcelona is the 5th city in the EU for investment in healthtech (i.e. medtech and digital health), and the 8th in the EU for investing in the health sector in general, which includes biotechnology, medtech and digital health.

The impact of the Catalan life science sector globally

In 2023, Catalan exports in this area reached €9,409M (70% of total Spanish exports), 6.4% over the previous year, and rising from €6.864 in 2019. Out of the 2040 firms exporting from Catalonia, the leading exporters in value terms were Swiss, French and German owned companies, the last two showing a 10% increase in exports over 2022. Furthermore, of these 2040 firms, 44% export on a regular basis.

In Catalonia, top scientific talent abounds

Three Catalan universities are at the forefront of the Spanish university system in health sciences, earning global recognition for their academic and research excellence. The University of Barcelona ranks #45 worldwide and 1st in Spain for Clinical Medicine, #51–75 and 1st in Spain for Human Biological Sciences, #76–100 and 1st in Spain for Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, and #49 and 1st in Spain for Public Health, according to the 2023 Shanghai Rankings. 

The Autonomous University of Barcelona ranks #101–150 globally in Clinical Medicine and Human Biological Sciences, while Pompeu Fabra University ranks #151–200 in Human Biological Sciences and #101–150 in Public Health. These institutions are recognized for their contributions to Nobel Prize and Fields Medal-winning alumni, highly cited research, and publications in leading journals like Nature and Science.

Barcelona-Catalonia, your life sciences destination

Catalonia combines all the elements needed for success in life sciences: a skilled workforce, cutting-edge infrastructure, a strong culture of innovation, and a supportive government committed to fostering investment. From entrepreneurs to global pharmaceutical leaders and investors, Catalonia offers unparalleled opportunities to grow and thrive in one of the world’s most dynamic life sciences ecosystems.

Main players and events
in health & life sciences.

Check below which are the main institutions and players that make Barcelona-Catalonia life sciences sector a success.

Related news & success stories
in Barcelona (Catalonia).