ACESABIO was officially constituted at the end of 2023, as an association that is positioned at all stages of the process. CataloniaBio & HealthTech is one of the 12 clusters that form part of this alliance, with a representation that allows it to understand the needs and challenges at each stage and in each territory, facilitating collaboration between actors. Moreover, by being a benchmark throughout the chain, it can drive innovation in a holistic way and promote synergies between the various actors.

The 12 regional clusters that make up the Alliance of Spanish Health and Biosciences Clusters (ACESABIO) met this Monday with the Secretary of State for Science, Innovation and Universities, Juan Cruz Cigudosa; the Director General of Industrial Strategy and SMEs of the Ministry of Industry and Tourism, Jordi García Brustenga; and the Secretary General of Digital Health, Alfredo González. They have conveyed the creation of the largest state alliance in health, which unites the needs of the 1,050 entities they represent.

Today's meeting with the three public administrations provided an opportunity to highlight ACESABIO's crucial role in fostering Spanish industrial transformation, promoting cooperation between the different agents in the health ecosystem, a fact that allows for greater territorial cohesion. It works on knowledge generation and technology transfer, and also intensifies the quality of talent in scientific areas. Objectives aligned with the State Plan for Scientific and Technical Research and Innovation 2024-2027.

The largest alliance of clusters in the sector

ACESABIO articulates a collaboration between 12 regional health and bioscience clusters, representing 10 regions: Arahealth (l'Aragó), Basque Health Cluster (País Basc), BIOIB (Balears), Bioga (Galícia), Bioval (Comunitat Valenciana), CataloniaBio & HealthTech (Catalunya), el Cluster Sociosanitario de Extremadura, Cluster Saúde de Galicia (Galícia), Navarra Health Cluster (Comunitat Foral de Navarra), Cluster SIVI (Castella i Lleó), Ticbiomed (Murcia) i WeMind Cluster (Catalunya).

ACESABIO aims to be a valid representative of the entire value chain and a paradigm of public-private collaboration. Its objectives also include fostering territorial cohesion, as a meeting and collaboration point for the different Spanish regions, and its ability to promote Spanish industrial transformation, so that it becomes cutting-edge, innovative and competitive on a global scale. As a key point, he highlights the potential of triangulating opportunities between the Ministries of Industry, Health and Science, Innovation and Universities, and turning the health sector into an economic engine.

It brings together 1,050 entities, a unique level of representation in the sector, with a strong business focus: 73% of the entities are SMEs, 197 of which are start-ups (18% of the total), 15% are corporations and 12% are knowledge centres, third sector entities and patient associations in the health sector. With an aggregate turnover of more than 27,000 M€ and a direct employment generation of 378,000 jobs, ACESABIO is an important player that reflects the entire value chain of the health and life sciences sector.