Today, CataloniaBio & HealthTech attended the presentation of the 2020 Asebio Report: The year of biotechnology, which took place at the ICEX headquarters in Madrid (with a limited capacity) and was broadcast live on social networks.

Ion Arocena, CEO of the Spanish Bioindustry Association (Asebio), explained the most important figures for the biotechnology sector in Spain:

• 0.8% of GDP
• 117,669 jobs
• Record level of investment: €150 million of private investment
• Leading industrial sector in R&D
• Companies have doubled investment in the last 10 years
• Catalonia account for the largest business community

Arocena also pointed out that the sector "plays a fundamental role in the 2030 Agenda, as it is present in 11 of the 13 SDGs".

Ana Polanco, president of Asebio, began her speech by highlighting that the sector has shown over the past year that it is an engine of economic and social prosperity and that in the near future "we will continue to work to put biotechnology at the heart of the recovery strategy in Spain, so that our industrial infrastructure continues to be strengthened and innovation reaches patients".

Pedro Duque, Minister for Science and Innovation, attended the closing ceremony and emphasised the value of this year's approved budget of €3,380 million (60% more than in 2020), as well as new programmes to boost technology transfer, innovation and competitiveness of companies. "We must give substance to the growing social confidence in science and innovation in a State Pact that commits sustained support for the policies initiated", explained the minister.

You can watch the event here.

Download the report on the Asebio website.

Photo: Judit Anido, CEO of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, with Ion Arocena, Ana Polanco and Javier Terriente of Asebio.