Consolidation of life sciences in Catalonia as driving force for innovation and growth: €220 million invested and 8.7% of GDP

The life sciences have become a strategic, highly consolidated sector in Catalonia.  This dynamic, innovative sector, which attracts global talent and investment and is transforming the knowledge economy, healthcare and quality of life, has over 1,400 companies, creates roughly 250,000 jobs and makes up 8.7% of the Catalan GDP. This data is from the report compiled by  Biocat, the BioRegion of Catalonia. The life sciences arena includes biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical technology and digital health. In 2023, the sector saw a record of over €220 million in private investment.

Additionally, looking specifically at the digital health ecosystem, which is the field of knowledge and practice related to the development and use of digital technologies to improve healthcare, Barcelona is, behind London, the second city in Europe in number of emerging companies in this area. The Catalan digital health sector grew 7% to 400 companies, mostly SMEs (92.5%) and 41.5% of these firms are developing health applications for artificial intelligence solutions, according to a study by ACCIÓ.

In any case, despite figures that show the Catalan life science sector’s current success and enormous potential, what truly sets it apart is the solid, diverse, highly connected ecosystem, with centres of excellence, strategic facilities, large public and private hospitals, consolidated companies, universities, technology centres and start-ups that make up an innovative, competitive network.

The health and life sciences sector is one of the most important in the Catalan economy and this study shows it is also one of the best at embracing digitalisation. This will help make this sector a true driving force for the economy, generating jobs with value added, moving towards a healthcare model in which technology is an ally to guarantee better care for all.