Genesis Tech Transfer Boost (GTTB), an investment vehicle created in 2022 and managed by the consulting firm GENESIS Biomed has made its third investment for a ticket of €50,000 in the biotech company Affirma Biotech, both members of CataloniaBio & HealthTech.  

Recent research conducted by various universities and research centers in collaboration with the Dentaid Research Center (DRC), member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, highlights cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) as an effective antiviral. The coexistence of infections by the flu virus, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is straining primary care consultations and hospital emergencies in Spain. In response to this situation, preventive measures such as the mandatory use of masks in healthcare centers are being reinforced to curb contagion. 

GENESIS Tech Transfer Boost, the investment vehicle managed by GENESIS Biomed, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, is adding a new partner. The vehicle was created in April 2022 with the aim of detecting and investing in early-stage projects in the biomedical sector, whether from hospitals or academic centres, following in the footsteps of its predecessor GENESIS Ventures. To the €1M commitment from founding partners GENESIS Biomed, FI Group and Crowd4Ventures, PINONO S.L. is now added with a €200,000 commitment. 

AstraZeneca has confirmed the final location of its European innovation hub in Barcelona, where it plans to invest 800 million euros and have up to 1,000 employees. The hub will be in the Estel building, the former headquarters of Telefónica in the Catalan capital, when its re-opens in 2025 after a comprehensive renovation. 

This Monday, at the Palau de la Generalitat, the binding agreement was signed between the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Hospital Clínic Barcelona, the University of Barcelona, the City Councils of Barcelona, Hospitalet de Llobregat and Esplugues de Llobregat, and the Diputació de Barcelona, for the construction of the new health campus of the Hospital Clínic. The Hospital Clínic Barcelona and the University of Barcelona are members of CataloniaBio & HealthTech. 

What are the factors that require the most attention when searching for talent for startups in the healthcare sector? The first webinar of the year promoted by CataloniaBio & HealthTech has focused on understanding all details of this common challenge, with experts in talent acquisition in the sector. 

A study by the Eurecat, technological center, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech,, with the Biomedical Research Institute of Girona (IDIBGI), reveals the relationship between low levels of histidine in the blood and fatty liver disease. Published in the scientific journal "Cell Reports Medicine," the research suggests new therapeutic opportunities to improve liver health in patients with obesity. 

Capital Cell, an investment company specialising in biotechnology and healthcare, and a member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, has closed a €650K financing round with the aim of strengthening its international positioning. In 2023, the CNMV granted Capital Cell the authorisation to operate under European legislation in France, Germany, Italy, Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark.

CataloniaBio& HealthTech renews the positions of the Board of Directors coinciding withthe halfway point of the current team's commitment. The most remarkable is theexchange of positions between Mariona Serra, Director of GoodGut (Grup HIPRA),and Joan Puig, CEO of Kymos. 

A study published in the journal 'Nature Biotechnology' presents an innovative neurotechnology based on graphene with the potential for transformative impact in neuroscience and medical applications. This research, led by the Catalan Institute of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (ICN2), is being developed for therapeutic applications through the spin-off company INBRAIN Neuroelectronics, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech. 

The Viladecans facilities of Alcura Health Spain, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, obtained the Manufacturer Import Authorization (MIA) granted by the Spanish Agency of Medicines and Medical Devices (AEMPS), which allows the import and release of products associated with gene, cellular, and tissue engineering therapies, also known as ATMP (Advanced Therapy Medicine Products). This authorization makes the Viladecans facilities in Barcelona the first center in the entire international Cencora network to have this authorization. 

BHV Partners, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, has appointed entrepreneur Albert Mascarell as its new CEO, effective January 1, 2024. 

XRHealth, the leading healthcare platform in Spatial computing, announced that the company secured $6 million in funding led by Asabys Partners, with the participation of NOVA Prime Fund, a venture capital fund created by global innovator LG Electronics and Clearbrook, LLC., and XRHealth’s current investors.

The call for the tenth edition of theBioèxit Award of the year, promoted by CataloniaBio & HealthTech, hasopened today. The 2024 edition will mark the tenth year of recognising the bestbusiness awards in the health sector in Catalonia, a sign that it is one of theleading European hubs for research and innovation in health.

The CataloniaBio & HealthTech board and team wish you all a Happy New Year 2024, and especially to the more than 225 members of the association, its collaborators and healthcare and life sciences professionals. This is a good time to look back and share the main milestones and the work we have carried out during this year 2023.

HumanITcare and VitalAire Brazil are using Garmin wearables to help revolutionise remote monitoring of patients who rely on long-term oxygen therapy, potentially resulting in timely interventions and personalised care; all from the comfort of patients’ homes.

What resources do we have to protect innovation in the health sector? We are very familiar with the patent system, but the 2016 EU Trade Secrets Directive has unified and strengthened the protection of trade secrets, providing legal tools and remedies similar to other intellectual property rights.

Almirall, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, continues its inorganic growth strategy to enhance its portfolio of dermatological products. The pharmaceutical company of the Gallardo family has reached an agreement with the Belgian firm Etherna to use its RNA technology and develop products for serious skin diseases, including non-melanoma skin cancer. The agreement includes an initial payment, the amount of which has not been disclosed but sources close to the operation assure that it is not significant, and a potential payment of over 300 million euros if a product reaches the market. 

Around thirty CEOs from CataloniaBio & HealthTech met on Tuesday 13 December at the HUB cambraDigital (Barcelona Chamber of Commerce) for the fifth edition of the CEO Council this 2023. The special guest at this last event of the year was Javier Ponce, Director General of the CDTI. The welcome was given by Joan Puig de Dou, CEO of Kymos and President of CataloniaBio & HealthTech.

Leanbio, member of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, adds 20 million euros of investment to its plant, currently on construction, in Sant Quirze del Vallès (Barcelona), which will become one of the most advanced in Europe. The company, based at the Barcelona Science Park, is expanding its production capacity in response to a growing demand for global projects, and has already secured licensing agreements for biosimilars with major multinational companies in the sector.