Catalonia’s health startups and scaleups set investment record, rising 55% from last year

The life sciences and healthcare sector in Catalonia continues to strengthen its position as a key driver of economic and social development. In 2024, despite global economic challenges, investment in healthcare startups and scaleups reached a record-breaking €350 million, marking a 55% increase from the previous year.

Healthcare innovation in Catalonia on the rise

The latest BioRegion of Catalonia Report (.PDF document), now in its tenth edition, highlights the sector’s sustained growth. The report, compiled by Biocat, presents key data on healthcare innovation indicators since 2009. Catalonia’s healthcare ecosystem ranks third in the region in terms of value-added and employment, demonstrating its strategic significance.

“Catalonia has become a European benchmark in healthcare innovation”

Robert Fabregat, CEO of Biocat

Share quote:

• X
• LinkedIn
• Facebook
• Whatsapp

Venture capital remains the leading source of investment, accounting for €278 million (80% of the total). This growth has been driven by increased international investor interest, with over 150 firms—primarily from Europe and the United States—now actively investing in Catalonia. In 2024, 75% of private capital included international investors, boosting the size of funding rounds. Key contributors to this growth include Impress (€110 million), INBRAIN Neuroelectronics (€46.2 million), and Heura (€40 million). Additionally, competitive grants provided over €55 million (16.25%) to scale entrepreneurial projects in healthcare.

Catalonia’s strength in Life Sciences and research

The sector’s economic footprint is substantial, representing 7.6% of Catalonia’s GDP and comprising over 1,500 companies—90% of which are SMEs. Catalonia accounts for more than 40% of Spain’s life sciences and healthcare exports, with its foreign trade volume ranking second among Spain’s autonomous communities.

Employment in the sector exceeds 280,000 professionals (7.3% of Catalonia’s workforce). The ecosystem continues to attract international innovation centers and multinational corporations, particularly in the Barcelona metropolitan area, where 23 new hubs have been established in recent years. Major players such as AstraZeneca have reinforced Catalonia’s status as a pharmaceutical industry hub, leading foreign direct investment and job creation for the second consecutive year.

Catalonia: A global leader in Clinical Trials

Catalonia is among the top ten regions worldwide in clinical trial participation and ranks fifth in Europe, trailing only France, Italy, Spain, and the United Kingdom. Notably, Catalan centers are involved in 87% of all active clinical trials in Spain. Research efforts focus on oncology, metabolic diseases, mental health, and hematology, with pharmaceutical companies driving 80% of clinical trials in the region.

The pipeline of new therapies is robust, with 75 treatments in development across various clinical areas. Of these, 65% are in advanced phases (II and III), moving closer to commercialization. Catalonia leads in advanced therapies, with 21 in clinical development, mainly in oncology. The region also hosts more than 60 active clinical trials in advanced therapies, accounting for 70% of all such trials in Spain.

Biocat CEO Robert Fabregat emphasized Catalonia’s leadership in research, hospital competitiveness, and startup scalability. "Catalonia has become a European benchmark in healthcare innovation. Our goal is clear: to transform scientific advances into real solutions that improve global health and well-being".

The 2024 BioRegion of Catalonia Report provides a comprehensive overview of the sector’s evolution, covering investment trends, emerging business opportunities, and advancements in strategic areas such as artificial intelligence and synthetic biology. With its continued growth and strong international positioning, Catalonia reaffirms its role as a leading hub for life sciences and healthcare innovation.

Source: Biocat