Barcelona becomes the first Fraunhofer headquarters in Spain, reinforcing Catalonia’s scientific leadership

Barcelona is consolidating its position as a global benchmark in science and innovation with the arrival of the prestigious Fraunhofer Institute, Europe’s largest organization for applied research. The new Fraunhofer Center for Applied Theranostics (Fraunhofer CAT) will be located at the Barcelona Science Park, becoming the first Fraunhofer headquarters in Spain and a strategic milestone for Catalonia’s innovation ecosystem.

Developed in collaboration with the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Fraunhofer CAT aims to accelerate technology transfer and turn scientific knowledge into real-world solutions for society, particularly in the fields of health, advanced therapies, and bioengineering. The initiative represents a total investment of over €26 million, funded jointly by the Government of Catalonia (€14M), Barcelona City Council (€8M), and the Spanish Government (€4.5M). The project is expected to create around 100 highly qualified jobs, further strengthening Catalonia’s role as a European hub for biomedical innovation.

“The establishment of Fraunhofer in Barcelona consolidates us as a European hub of excellence in applied research and technology transfer”

Diana Morant, Minister of Science, Innovation, and Universities in Spain

Share quote:

• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Whatsapp

German–Spanish alliance for the future of medicine

The launch of Fraunhofer CAT was formalized through the signing of a joint declaration of intent in Barcelona, marking a new strategic alliance between Germany and Spain in the field of biomedical research.

The declaration was signed by Diana Morant, Spanish Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities; Salvador Illa, President of the Government of Catalonia; Jaume Collboni, Mayor of Barcelona; and Holger Hanselka, President of the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft.

During the ceremony, Illa stated that Fraunhofer’s establishment in Barcelona in the field of theranostics, under the umbrella of the Fraunhofer Spain Foundation, is "a confirmation of the scientific, research, and academic innovation potential of Barcelona, Catalonia, and Spain." 

The president also expressed his conviction that to ensure that "Barcelona becomes a capital of science and Catalonia embraces this scientific vocation". He said, "We need science, we need scientists, we need talent, we need strong universities, we need to invest in science, and that is what we will continue to do."

The institutional agreement lays the foundations for long-term cooperation between the four institutions, aiming to strengthen the establishment, sustainability, and international projection of the Fraunhofer CAT project in Catalonia.

For her part, the Minister of Science, Innovation and Universities, Diana Morant, stated that "Spain today is a country that attracts the trust and investment of the world’s innovation leaders, and the establishment of Fraunhofer in Barcelona consolidates us as a European hub of excellence in applied research and technology transfer."

Morant also emphasized that the new center "will consolidate an internationally renowned innovation ecosystem in biomedicine and bioengineering, fostering collaboration between universities, hospitals, and biotech companies so that scientific knowledge is translated into medical and technological solutions with real impact."

The Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, stressed that this "represents a qualitative leap for Barcelona’s innovation ecosystem, a city that, through great effort and strong political will, has become a scientific capital within Spain and Southern Europe."

Collboni explained that "Fraunhofer CAT is a project that benefits humanity and people, as it will enable scaling up research against cancer, improving treatments, and saving lives."

Under the umbrella of the Fraunhofer Spain Research Foundation, this partnership sets the foundation for pioneering theranostics research in Spain, an emerging field that combines diagnostics and therapy to deliver personalized, patient-specific treatments. Fraunhofer CAT will act as a model for future research collaborations across Europe.

A fertile ground for innovation

Catalonia offers one of the most dynamic life sciences ecosystems in Europe, with the highest concentration of pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies on the continent. This unique environment provides fertile ground for scientific breakthroughs and productive economic partnerships.

The initiative builds on the long-standing collaboration between the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering IBMT, led by Heiko Zimmermann and Peter Hauptmann, and IBEC, one of Catalonia’s leading research institutions.

Renowned scientist Josep Samitier, Director of IBEC and professor at the University of Barcelona, will lead the new center. Under his direction, Fraunhofer CAT will combine IBEC’s expertise in bioengineering, biosensors, and biomimetic systems with Fraunhofer IBMT's leadership in stem cell process technology and cell-based microsystems.

The center will act as a bridge between research laboratories, clinics, and the biotech industry, driving the development of innovative diagnostic and therapeutic technologies that pave the way for precision medicine.

Strategic momentum for Europe’s innovative strength

This joint initiative by the Spanish Government, the Government of Catalonia, Barcelona City Council, and Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft represents a significant step forward for Europe’s research and innovation landscape. By choosing Barcelona as the location for its first Spanish headquarters, Fraunhofer reinforces Catalonia’s strategic role as a European hub for cutting-edge biomedical research and technology transfer.