Barcelona - Dossier Biotecnologia Eng

8/10/2019 Barcelona - Dossier Biotecnologia Eng

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The biotechnologysectorin Barcelona


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01. Barcelona, the Mediterraneans innovation hub 05

02. 10 reasons to invest in Barcelona 06

03. The biotechnology sector in Barcelona and Catalonia 08

04. The top 10 strong points of Barcelona and Cataloniasbiotechnology and biomedical sectors01. The presence of large domestic pharmaceutical companiesand major international groups 10

02. Entrepreneurship and innovation in biotech and medicaltechnology companies 12

03. Network of leading hospitals engaged in research 14

04. Benchmark training and research centres in the life sciences field 16

05. Barcelona Science Park (PCB): where researchand innovation meet, and the countrys first bio-incubator 18

06.Barcelonas Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), a centrefor leading research groups 19

07.Autonomous University of Barcelonas Research Park (PRUAB),research institutes and a bio-incubator 20

08. Large hospital research centres: IDIBAPS IDIBELL and VHIR 22

09.Biocat, promoting the Bioregion of Catalonia 23

10. Active government support for the biotechnology world 24

05. Links 26

Table of contents

Edition

Barcelona City Council

Economic, Business and Employment Area

Llacuna 16208018 Barcelonawww.bcn.cat/barcelonabusiness

With the help of

Design and layout: g.grafic

D.L. (Copyright): B-32847-2011

Barcelona, November 2011


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ThebiotechnologysectorinBarcelona

Barcelona, located in North-EasternSpain and on the shores of the Medi-terranean, is one of the largest cities inEurope and the centre of a vast metro-politan region of more than 160 townswith a total population of about 5 millionpeople. It is the economic, cultural andadministrative capital of Catalonia andthe principal emerging area of economicactivity in Southern Europe, with 17 mi-llion people and 800,000 businesses. TheEuro-Mediterranean region, including theBalearic Islands, Valencia, Aragon andSouth Eastern France, is primarily spe-cialising in new strategically competitive

international sectors, whilst consolidatingits position internationally as one ofEuropes major regions.

We can find the basis of economicgrowth in metropolises with a poly-centric and economically diversifiedbusiness structure that facilitates andhelps incubate new ideas, products andcompanies.

Taking into account the distribution ofgross value added across business activi-ties, Catalonia is Spains top autonomousregion in the industrial sector, accountingfor 25.2% of the total market. In terms of

services, it is positioned second regardingnational gross value added generated(19.5% of total). Catalonia accounts for28.2% of all Spains companies in indus-tries with high and medium high-tech andknowledge-based services.

Moreover, the rate of entrepreneurialactivity in Catalonia in 2010 was 5.5%,higher than the Spanish and Europeanaverages, according to the Global Entre-preneurship Monitor (GEM) 2010.

Barcelonas international economicactivities are mainly driven by the Trade

Fair, the Port, Airport, the Zona FrancaConsortium, Barcelonas Tourism Consor-tium, Barcelona City Council and its newtechnological innovation districts. As such,and given the importance of innovationin fostering competitiveness, productivityand the internationalisation of companies,the biotechnology sector is one of the keysectors for Barcelona and Catalonia.

Catalonias bio cluster is one the mostdynamic in Spain, which overall happensto be one of the most active areas insouthern Europe in this field. And it is es-pecially active in clinical research and thehuman health care field, with 90 research

centres and more than 400 consoli-

dated research groups engaged in thefield of life sciences; excelling in areassuch as oncology, bio nano-medicineand cardiovascular disease. Cataloniaalso boasts trained specialists that arehighly prepared for the future. Of thetwelve universities located on Catalanterritory, five offer bioscience studiesand over 24,000 students have alreadyundergone training here.

22% of Spains biotech companies are lo-cated in Catalonia; while 45% of Spainspharmaceutical companies are based in

Catalonia, including the largest in the sec-tor, which happen to all be Catalan firms:Admiral, Esteve Ferrer, Grifols, Lacer andUriach. The Spanish pharmaceutical sec-tor is Europes seventh biggest in termsof production volume.

In the last five years, according to the2011 Biocat Report, over 450 Catalancompanies(biotechnology, pharma-ceutical, medical technology innovatorsand service sectors) have experiencedfluctuating growth rates between 15%and 30%, which, given the currenteconomic downturn, shows the potentialof the sector.

Barcelona,the Mediterraneansinnovation hub

01

EURO-MEDITERRANEAN REGION

CATALONIA

BARCELONA


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02

10 reasons to investin the biotechnologysector CatalanBarcelona offers a va-

riety of characteristics

that make it an attractiveplace to live, work and

do business. The biote-

chnology and biomedical

sector is one of the most

dynamic, offering some

of the best investment

opportunities

06.Skilled professionals prepared for the futureCatalonia has more than 25,000 researchers (7% of the working population) based in

900 research centres, and of these there are 430 dedicated to the area of life sciences and,on the other hand, 90 research centres dedicating around 50% of their work to the life scien-ces area. Ten of Catalonias twelve universities eight of these located in the metropolitanarea around Barcelona- offer bioscience studies: 155 courses taught with 24,000 students(Biocat 2009 report). Two of Barcelonas top four business schools -ESADE and IESE- areamong the worlds best 25. In addition, Barcelona has 34 international schools.

07.Excellent quality of lifeFor the 14thyear running, Barcelona boasts Europes best quality of life for employees*. Ithas a mild climate, sun, beaches, culture, splendid leisure time and arts programmes, a net-work of 4,500 educational institutions, modern and accessible health system. It is easy toget around on the public transport system and boasts beautiful parks that surround the city.

08.Consolidated science parks and growthprojects

The city of Barcelona has six biotechnology-related science and technology parks (ParcCientfic Barcelona, Parc de Recerca Biomdica de Barcelona, Parc Barcelona Nord, Parcde Recerca i Innovaci de la UPC, Parc de Recerca de la UPF and 22@ Barcelona), inaddition to those in the surrounding environment: Biopol (Hospitalet), Parc Tecnolgic delValls and the Parc de Recerca de la UAB (Cerdanyola) and the newly created Parc delAlba (in the ALBA Synchrotron environment, also in Cerdanyola) and Orbital 40 (Te-rrassa). Lleida, Girona, Tarragona, Reus, Manresa also have science parks with activitiesrelated to the sector.

09.Unique research facilitiesThe Mare Nostrum Supercomputer (Barcelona Supercomputing Center BSC), the Na-tional Centre for Genome Analysis (CNAG) and ALBA Synchrotron-CELLS are three ofEuropes benchmark research facilities that are located in Barcelona and its surrounds.BSC, supported by the Governments of Catalonia and Spain, is currently developing thePRACE project, which is designed to provide Barcelona with one of the most powerful su-percomputers in Europe in 2012, and this should help develop and enhance both scientificresearch centres and companies investigation.

10.Unique public-private cooperationBarcelona City Council and the Government of Catalonia are committed to creating afavourable business environment, with the success of traditional local public-privatepartnerships being a key to the transformation of Barcelon a to date.

*According to Cushman & Wakefield, European Cities Monitor 2011.

01.Strategic Geographical LocationTwo hours by road from France and one day by road from the major Europeancities. The gateway to southern Europe, Barcelona boasts a major port, airport,free trade zone, logistics parks, an international trade fair and a city centre allwithin a radius of five kilometres

02.Extensive transport infrastructureWith its network of highways connected with Europe, Barcelona has the fastestgrowing European airport, Spains top port and the largest container port in theMediterranean; a comprehensive metro and bus network, and a high-speed traininfrastructure that is due to connect directly to the TGV and European network in2013.

03.Barcelona, center of a large, dynamic and diverse economic areaThe city of Barcelona and its metropolitan area have a total population of 5 millionpeople. This city is the capital of Catalonia, one of the most dynamic regions ofSpain, with 7.5 million inhabitants, located in the heart of the Mediterranean, alarge economic area with 18 million inh abitants. Barcelona accounts for 30%of Catalonias GDP and has a growth rate of 1, 7% GDP per year (2008). It isEuropes sixth biggest urban agglomeration and its fifth largest in terms of indus-try density. Catalonia has nearly 7,000 businesses working in innovation relatedactivities, most of which are located in Barcelona and its surrounding area.

04.Successful foreign investment and recognized international positioningSixth best city for business in Europe*, Barcelona has the most foreign inves-tment in Catalonia, which in 2010 was 3.999 billion, or 34% of all productioninvestment received by Spain. There are more than 3,400 foreign companiesestablished in Catalonia, 90% of whom are located in the Barcelona area, whichhas established itself as a centre for multinationals European divisions. Its qua-lity of life and human capital are among the most valued aspects of Barcelonaby foreign companies already set up in the city and in various other internationalrankings.

05.Leading position in the Spanish and European biopharmaceutical marketCatalonia is home to 22% of all biotech companies in Spain and 45% of its phar-maceutical companies; the largest in the sector all Catalonian- are: Admiral, EsteveFerrer, Grifols, Lacer and Uriach. The Spanish pharmaceutical sector is rankedseventh in Europe in terms of production volume. Catalonia also boasts 40% ofSpains medical technology companies, responsible for 50% of all turnover in thesector (7.400 bn in 2008), with 3% of this invested in R&D.


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30%


09

Thebiotechnologysector inBarcelona

and Catalonia

03

Biotechnology is a key sector

in order to transform theregions current economicmodel into a system basedon the knowledge economy.

The recession that began in2008 has shown the im-portance of this particularsector, especially given thefact that traditional industries

have suffered badly from the

severe downturn. In 2010,the US biotechnology rankedsecond in terms of inves-

tment volume -behind thesoftware industry- with nearly$ 4 billion (3% more thanin 2009) and over 450 tran-

sactions closed. Emergingeconomies such as China orBrazil are also investing inthese sectors, with particularemphasis on the industrial

and agricultural applicationsof biotechnology.

Catalonias bio cluster is the mostdynamic in Spain, a country whichalso happens to be one of themost active areas of southern Eu-rope in this field. It has more than450 sector related companies(biotechnology, pharmaceutical,medical innovation technology and

services for the sector), withgrowth rates fluctuating between15% and 30% over the last 5 years,and its 90 research centresandover 400 research groupsexcel inareas such as oncology, cardio-vascular diseaseor bio nanomedicine.

This document aims to set out the underlying features of the currentand future biotechnology sector in Catalonia and Barcelona under10 strategic reasonswhy:

01The presence of large domestic pharmaceutical companies andmajor international groups

02 Entrepreneurship and innovation in biotech and medical technolo-gy companies

03 Network of leading hospitals engaged in research

04 Benchmark training and research centres in the life sciences field

05 Barcelona Science Park (PCB): where research and innovationmeet, and the countrys first bio-incubator

06 Barcelonas Biomedical Research Park (PRBB), a centre forleading research groups

07 Autonomous University of Barcelonas Research Park (PRUAB),research institutes and a bio-incubator

08 Large hospital research centres: IDIBAPS IDIBELL and VHIR

09 Biocat, promoting the Bioregion of Catalonia

10 Active government support for the biotechnology world

We have, therefore, a sector thathas huge potential for Barcelonaand Catalonia, and that has strongpoints and resources associatedwith its industry, research institu-tions and government support allfactors that foster innovation anddevelopment.

8%

20%

13%

26%

Type of Company in CataloniasBioRegi

Companies fully engaged in biotechnology 399

Companies partly involved in biotechnology 161Companies that use biotechnology 535

Total biotechnology companies 1.095

Number of biotechnology companies in Spain

Source: Asebio 2010

C at al on ia M ad ri d A nd al uc ia C om un it at

valenciana

P ai s V as co Ga l ci a

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

21,19%

Geographical distribution of biotechnology companies across Spain

14,43%12,15%

9,50% 8,22%7,40%

3%

Medicaltechnologies

Bioinformatics

BiotechnologyPharmaceutical

Food

Fine Chemistry


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10 principalstrengthsof Barcelonaand Catalonias

biotechnologyand biomedicalsectors

04

Biotechnology plays a lea-ding role in the pharmaceuti-cal sector, even to the extentthat we talk about a conver-gence of the two sectors.

The presence of drugs intodays markets that have a

biotech origin is increasingsignificantly, bringing outnew drugs that are morespecific and effective withfewer side effects.

The Spanish pharmaceuticalindustry is mainly concen-trated in Catalonia, where45% of the sectors labo-

ratories are located, alongwith 50% of production and80% of companies workingin the fine chemicals sector.

In fact, Catalonia is the country-of-origin of Spains top six phar-maceutical companies: Almirall,Esteve, Ferrer, Grfols, Lacer andUriach. In 2008, these companiesspending on R&D stood at 381million euros. This tradition, andtheir dynamic nature, has attrac-ted major foreign investments:

the Catalan region has about 70pharmaceutical companies andis home to five of the worlds topten biopharmaceutical companies:Amgen, Novartis, Pfizer, Roche andSanofi-Aventis.

The agrofoods business sector, withstrong roots in Catalonia and with ahuge growth potential, is also oneof the main users of biotechnology,mainly in order to create more pro-fitable crops or plants that providethe best quality products.

01.THE PRESENCEOF LARGEDOMESTICPHARMACEUTICALCOMPANIESAND MAJORINTERNATIONAL

GROUPS

The worlds main pharmaceutical groups

profits, 2009 (in billions of $)

01 Pfizer $45,44802 Sanofi-Aventis $40,871

03 Novartis $38,455

04 GlaxoSmithKline $36,746

05 AstraZeneca $31,905

06 Merck & Co. $26,929

07 Johnson & Johnson $22,520

08 Eli Lilly & Co. $20,629

09 Bristol-Myers Squibb $18,808

10 Abbott Laboratories $16,486

11 Takeda Chem. Ind. $14,204

The worlds main pharmaceutical groups

profits, 2009 (in billions of $)

01 Roche/Genentech $36,01702 Amgen $14,642

03 Novo Nordisk $9,566

04 Merck Serono $7,454

05 Baxter BioScience $5,573

In bold type those with activity in Catalonia

Source:

IB09: Biocat report on the state of the biotechnology, biomedicine and medicaltechnologies sector in Catalonia 2009 (www.biocat.cat/publicacions/informe).

2010 Top 10 Biopharmaceutical Companies Report, Contract Pharma(www.contractpharma.com/articles/2010/07/2010-top-20-pharmaceutical-companies-report).


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The 480 companies that cu-

rrently make up the Catalanbiotechnology sector(91 entirely dedicated tobiotechnology) were all set

up after the year 2000.

In the last five years, biotechno-logy has grown between 15%and 30%. AB Biotics (functionalfoods), Advancell (nanomedicine),Archivel Farma (therapeutic vacci-ne against tuberculosis), Bioglane(industrial biotechnology), Bioin-genium (bioremediation), ERABiotech (cell technology), Immu-novative developments (drugs forinflammatory immune disorders),Neurotech Pharma (multiple scle-rosis), Omnia molecular (anti-in-fectives) and Oryzon (biomarkers)are just some examples.

What lies behind the growth of thebiotechnology sector is talent andskilled human capital, and strongcollaborative bonds between acade-mia and business. Catalonia has12 universities with 177,000 de-

gree and masters students, accoun-ting for 12.5% of the whole Spanishuniversity system (2009-10 data).Some 43,500 students were enro-lled on postgraduate studies duringthis period.Regarding business schools, whichis often an indicator associated withentrepreneurship, Barcelona boaststwo of the top twenty schools in theworld: IESE and ESADE (accordingto the Financial Times 2011). Inaddition, in 2008 Barcelona was thethird European city attracting mostinternational MBA students, onlybeaten by Paris and London, accor-ding to the aforesaid newspaper.

Catalonia accounts for one fifth(20.98%) of all Spains biotechcompanies, according to the latestreport by Asebio (Association

02.ENTREPRENEUR-SHIP ANDINNOVATION INBIOTECH AND MEDI-CAL TECHNOLOGYCOMPANIES

of Biotechnology Companiesin Spain). According the BiocatReport 2011, in Catalonia thereare 480 companies involved inCatalonias biotech sector, ofwhich 91 are principally engagedin biotechnology related business,71 are pharmaceuticals, 106are medical technology compa-nies, 29 are in fine chemicals (amajor sector for the developmentof active ingredients), 45 arefoodstuffs companies, 9 from thebiocomputing area, and the restare providing support services.Of those companies in the R+Darea, 58.7% are working on redbiotechnology (health); 47.1% inwhite biotechnology (industrial);and 28.1% in green tehnology(agrofoodstuffs), and 45.5% inmedical technologies.

04

10 principalstrengths ofBarcelona andCatalonias


Sub-sectors of activity of the companies of the Bioregion

Industries of R&D

WHITE BIOTECHNOLOGY

YES

47,1%

NO

52,9%

YES58,7%

NO41,3%

GREEN TEHNOLOGY

RED BIOTECHNOLOGY

YES28,1%

NO71,9%

YES45,5%

NO54,5%

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGIES

Source: Report Biocat 2011


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In Catalonia, there is a

unique form of interactionbetween hospitals, univer-sities, research centres andindustry in general, covering

all areas from basic to clini-cal research.Catalonia stands out in the

field of clinical research andhuman health research. It

has a network of 215 hospi-tals, 13 of which are develo-ping outstanding research.Amongst them, six are

amongst Spains top scienceresearch producers.

The Barcelona area has a largenetwork of teaching hospitalstoo, among them Hospital ClnicProvincial de Barcelona, Hospitalde Bellvitge, Hospital de la ValldHebron, Hospital de la Santa Creui Sant Pau, Hospital de Sant Joan deDu, Hospital del Mar and HospitalGermans Trias i Pujol, all carrying out

world leading research, ranging frombasic research to advanced diagnos-tic and clinical research.One example is a Hospital Clnicresearch centre, the Centre for Inter-national Health Research (CRESIB),which leads the worldwide develo-pment of a vaccine against malaria,thanks to sponsorship by the Bill andMelinda Gates Foundation.

Barcelona and Catalonia enjoy anoutstanding tradition in quality clini-cal trials. This region enjoys competi-tive advantages in this field becauseof the quality research that can be

undertaken here, because of safetyand research effectiveness in termsof patient selection and its compe-titive pricing structure. Over the last10 years, the Catalan public healthsystem has increased its researchtrials by 95%, making Catalonia theleading region in Spain in terms ofpercentage points (52.4%), mainly in

phase II and III trials.

The private and public sectors workclosely together. There are nume-rous cases of collaboration, andthese days hospitals themselvesare starting their own entrepreneu-rial projects. Catalonia has seen anumber of companies that have setup and become highly successfulacross various therapeutic areas.There is a sub-sector of servicescompanies of about 30 CRO (con-tract research organizations) thatcontribute to the development andmaturity of this sector in Catalonia.

03.NETWORK OFLEADINGHOSPITALSENGAGED INRESEARCH

04

CIBEK, a patronage initiative in Barcelona

Hospital Clnic of Barcelona




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04

chanisms and work on applicationsfor these cells in the treatment of

degenerative diseases.

Centre for International Health

Research (CRESIB)

CRESIB researches issues relatedto the new international health cha-llenges we face in the twenty-firstcentury. Since May 2010, CRESIBhas been part of the Barcelona Glo-bal Health Institute (ISGLOBAL).

National Centre for Genome

Analysis (CNAG)

This centre is dedicated to thestudy of sequencing, analysisand interpretation of informationcontained in organisms genomes.10 years after the publication of thefirst human genome sequence afterdecades of research, CNAG cannow sequence in just a day.

Centre for Genomic

Regulation (CRG)

One of the main areas of excellencethat Barcelona boasts is researchis related to this centre. At CRGthey carry out basic research inbiomedicine, especially in the areasof genomics and proteomics. Itsresearchers and group leaders arerecruited and evaluated internatio-nally, ensuring the highest scientificlevels.

Catalonian Institute of

Bioengineering (IBEC)

IBEC carries out research into bioen-gineering all the way from its most

basic level up to medical applica-tions; it has become an international

benchmark in this field. Its location inthe Barcelona Science Park (PCB)means it can keep up with this highlydynamic area of life sciences.

Catalan Institute of

Cardiovascular Sciences (ICCC)

ICCC is located in the Hospital dela Santa Creu i Sant Pau in Barce-lona, and it conducts research oncardiovascular and heart disease,competing at the highest internatio-nal level. The centre has been highlysuccessful at transferring researchinto therapeutic developments anddiagnostics.

Institute of Biomedical

Research (IRB)

Founded in 2005 and located inBarcelonas Science Park (PCB),IRB is dedicated to basic andapplied biomedical research. Highlydynamic and working to the highestinternational levels of excellence,some of its main achievementshave been in the area of cancerresearch.

Institute for AIDS Research

(IrsiCaixa)

It works to develop knowledge,prevention and treatment of HIVinfection and AIDS, with the ultimategoal of eradicating this disease.Located in the University HospitalGermans Trias i Pujol in Badalona,it conducts research in partnershipwith Barcelonas Hospital Clnic.

ALBA Synchrotron

Alba is a new generation synchro-

tron located near the AutonomousUniversity of Barcelona. Thesynchrotron and the nearby newParc de lAlba facilities have beenequipped to host researchers fromaround the world that use X-rayanalysis on their samples.

Vall dHebron Institute of

Oncology (VHIO)

Recent years have seen keyfindings emerge on the molecularbasis of cancer, and this has ledto new and better treatments forthis disease. VHIO is working alongsimilar research lines, providing acommon space for scientists anddoctors working on basic scienceand clinical research.

The growth and development of thebiotechnology industry in Catalo-nia is possible because there is anadequate supply of science and te-chnology parks suitable for businessincubation during their early stagesof creation. Of Catalonias 17 parks,13 are actively involved in biotech-nology and biomedicine. In additionto providing science and technologyfacilities, offices and laboratories,these parks provide a meetingpoint for research, innovation andcompanies, as well as a competitiveenvironment, and support servicesto help grow business projects whilealso providing access to experts inintellectual property and investors.

Catalonia has 430 researchgroups and 90 recognizedresearch centres that aredeveloping activities in the

life sciences field.

In Catalonia, training in life scien-ces and healthcare in general hasincreased considerably in recentyears, both at universities and bu-siness schools in order to meet theneeds of a sector that is emergingas a major economic driver for thecountry. Ten of Catalonias twelveuniversities teach studies relatedto this area, although the Universityof Barcelona (UB), the Autono-mous University of Barcelona(UAB) and the Polytechnic Univer-sity of Catalonia (UPC) account foralmost 60% of the training given inthis field. The number of studentsenrolled on these courses is nearly25,000.

Bioscience research is carried outat 10 universities, with 25,000researchers generating 25% of allSpains scientific output and 57%of its biomedicine publications*.One important figure that shows

the degree of research speciali-zation in Catalonia is the fact thatover 60% of centres do researchon human health, and over 70% ofall researchers working in the fieldof genomic science in Spain do soin research centres in Catalonia.

Barcelona Supercomputing

Center (BSC)

Located in the emblematic TorreGirona building in Barcelona, theBSC-CNS (Barcelona Supercompu-ting Center) is Spains National Su-percomputing Center that plays hostto the Mare Nostrumsupercomputer,one of the most powerful in Europe.

Centre for Regenerative Medici-

ne in Barcelona (CMR)

CMR is located in the BarcelonaBiomedical Research Park (PRBB)and principally researches humanembryonic stem cells to unders-tand their basic development me-

04.BENCHMARKTRAINING ANDRESEARCHCENTRES INTHE LIFESCIENCES FIELD

Barcelona

Girona

Lleida

Tarragona

Vic

Cerdanyola del Valls

Universities

Hospitals

Science and technology parks

*recent bibliometrics data, 2006.




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Science parks are catalystsfor regional economicdevelopment and facilitate

the creation and growthof new technology-basedcompanies, promotingknowledge transfer from

universities to industry.

Barcelona Science Park (PCB) is arecognised successful model. Thisis the largest business incubator inCatalonia and it produced the firstCatalan biotechnology company in2009; the Park also plays host thelatest science facility to be openedin our country, the National Centrefor Genome Analysis (CNAG), whichtogether creates an innovation areathat currently occupies 60,000 m2.

PCB houses 75 companies,9 technology platforms, 36 technicalunits, 4 research institutes and70 research groups. It also organi-zes more than 120 activities a yearin order to promote a culture andvocation for science, which involvesclose to 6,000 people.

Founded by the University ofBarcelona in 1997, this was thefirst science park to open in Spain.These days it is regarded as abenchmark for the internationalpromotion of innovation with over2,200 employees. It is a model

for the creation and growth ofbiotech SMEs and has contributedhugely to a new innovation-basedeconomy.

One of its main values is its owninternal triple helix model (publicadministration, business and uni-versity), which is a key to compe-titiveness in this sector with publicand private research and techno-

logy platforms. Within this samespace we find companies, techno-logy platforms and research groupswhich enjoy full access to a widerange of science and technologysupport services.

Setting up the National Centre forGenome Analysis (CNAG) withinthe Barcelona Science Park (PCB)which happens to be Cataloniaand Spains newest facility re-flects the excellent results achie-ved so far and its role as a drivingforce in this area.

The Barcelona Biomedi-

cal Research Park (PRBB)occupies 55,000 m2on

the citys shoreline over-

looking beaches and next

to Hospital del Mar. Herewe find scientific experts,

some working on molecular

analysis, others in terms of

the population perspective.

PRBB has become one ofthe leading biomedical re-

search centres in southern

Europe.

Created in 2002 by the UPF, theAutonomous Regional Governmentof Catalonia and Barcelona CityCouncil, its expansion process en-ded in late 2005 and now employsover 1,300 people, the majority ofthese foreigners (covering 50 diffe-rent nationalities).

The scientific activities of researchgroups that are working here

are grouped under the areas ofbiomedical computing and thebiology of systems, epigenetics andgene regulation, cell biology andits development, pharmacology,pathophysiology and clinical humangenetics and evolutionary biology,epidemiology and public health.

The Park has also produced busi-ness initiatives like the start-up qGe-nomics and Chemotargets based onscience initiatives.

Barcelona Biomedical ResearchPark (PRBB) has 8 institutes andindependent research centres

that have achieved excellence in

their fields, all focused on differentaspects of biomedicine.- Municipal Institute of MedicalResearch (IMIM)- Centre for Genomic Regulation(CRG)- Institute of Advanced Technology

(IAT)- Centre for Regenerative Medicinein Barcelona (CMR)- Centre for Research in Environ-mental Epidemiology (CREAL)- Pompeu Fabra Universitys De-partment of Experimental and HealthSciences (CEXS-UPF)- Pasqual Maragall Foundation (FPM)- IBE - Institute of Evolutionary Biolo-gy (CSIC-UPF)

PRBB also offers four technologyservice platforms, including the Cata-lonian Anti-Doping Laboratory (IMIM).

05.BARCELONASCIENCE PARK(PCB): WHERERESEARCH ANDINNOVATIONMEET, AND THECOUNTRYS FIRSTBIO-INCUBATOR

06.BARCELONABIOMEDICALRESEARCH PARK(PRBB), A CENTREFOR LEADINGRESEARCH GROUPS

04

The National Centre for Genome Analysis is one of the mostimportant centres for sequencing and molecular research in Europe

Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB)




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The UAB Research Parks tech-nology transfer services, and itsscientific and technical services areavailable to researchers at the UAB,CSIC and IRTA related centres andinstitutes as well as other centresand institutes that make up the

UAB Research Park, besides theuniversitys own research groups.Companies located in the Park andthose that have come about fromPark-related projects like start-upsor spin-offs can also make the mostof these services.

The Autonomous Universityof Barcelonas ResearchPark (PRUAB) is one ofCatalonia and Spains mostimportant business, industry

and knowledge generators.

The UAB Research Park was setup in late 2007 by three leadingresearch institutions: the UAB, theCouncil for Scientific Research(CSIC) and the Institute for Re-search and Technology (IRTA) inorder to foster, promote and impro-

ve the transfer of knowledge andtechnology between universitiesand companies.

In addition to the UABs owndepartments and research groups,the Park has numerous centres andinstitutes located on its BellaterraCampus and at the Torre MarimonFarm (Caldes de Montbui). They allcarry out research in five main the-mes: Biotechnology and Biomedici-ne, Health and Animal Production,and the Processing of Food and

Food Safety, Health and Beha-vioural Sciences, Social Sciencesand Humanities and Science andTechnology.Currently, the UAB Research Parkhas 30 research centres and insti-

tutes and more than 4,000 resear-chers. In 2006 it registered60 patents and generated fundsworth 68 million euros.

PRUAB has 14 small and mediumsized companies located there invarious life sciences activities.

04

07.AUTONOMOUSUNIVERSITYOF BARCELONASRESEARCHPARK (PRUAB),RESEARCHINSTITUTES ANDA BIO-INCUBATOR

PRUAB Research Centres and

Institutes working in fields

related to biotechnology and

biomedicine include:

- CBATEG: Centre for Ani-mal Biotechnology and GeneTherapy

- CRAG: Agrogenomics Re-search Centre

- IBB: Institute of Biotechnologyand Biomedicine

- INc: Institute of Neuroscience

- LP CSIC-UAB: CSIC-UABLaboratory of Proteomics

- ALBA Synchrotron

- Centre for Research in Na-noscience and Nanotechnology(CIN2)

ALBA Sy nchrotron

Autonomou s Univer sity of B arcelona s Research Park (PRUA B)




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04

Catalonias university hos-pitals have a long traditionbringing together excellencein health care, training andbasic and related research.

This can be seen by the factthat Barcelonas principalhospitals all have their own

research institutes.

In Barcelona and its surrounds there aresix hospital research institutes, five ofwhich - Vall dHebron Researh Institute(VHIR), Bellvitge Biomedical ResearchInstitute (IDIBELL), Health SciencesResearch Institute of the GermansTrias i Pujol Foundation (IGTP), AugustPi i Sunyer Biomedical ResearchInstitute (IDIBAPS) and Sant PauBiomedical Research Institute (IIB SantPau) are certified as medical researchinstitutes by the Ministry of Science andInnovation, a quality stamp awardedby the Instituto de Salud Carlos III, a

state support agency for research thatprovides accreditation for institutes andnetworks and focuses research on setobjectives, a mission that only one otherhospital in Spain, the Virgen del Rocode Sevilla, has.

Research institutes inBarcelonas hospital system

August Pi i Sunyer Biomedical

Research Institute (IDIBAPS)

IDIBAPS research focuses on sixmain investigation lines and it aims tointegrate quality clinical research withhigh quality basic research through its60-or-so research teams.

Bellvitge Biomedical Research

Institute (IDIBELL)

IDIBELL is a stem cell medicalresearch centre, including the par-ticipation of the University Hospitalof Bellvitge, the Catalan Institute ofOncology, the University of Barce-lona and the Institute of DiagnosticImaging. The Institute is part ofHospitalets BiopolH health careresearch park.

Vall dHebron Researh

Institute (VHIR))

VHIR is a biomedical research centreworking in the fields of diagnostics,

therapeutics and the treatment ofproblems related to healthcare issues.Besides this, the Institute is highlycommitted to supporting entrepreneu-rial business ventures that arise fromtheir research programmes.

The Sant Pau Biomedical

Research Institute (IIB Sant Pau)

The Sant Pau Institute for Biome-dical Research carries out medicalresearch into basic, clinical, andepidemiological health care issues,and their investigation lines cometogether in 10 of the highest qualityresearch entities. Occupying 6,000 m2of space, the shared research facili-ties play host to more than 400 basicscientists and clinicians grouped in7 areas of research.

Municipal Institute of Medical

Research (IMIM)

The Research Institute of the Hospitaldel Mar forms a part of the PompeuFabra University (UPF) and boasts350 researchers. Their research isdivided into five programme areas:cancer, epidemiology and publichealth, inflammation and cardiovas-cular processes, neuroscience andbiomedical computing.

08.LARGE HOSPITALRESEARCHCENTRES: IDIBAPSIDIBELL AND VHIR

09.BIOCAT, PROMOTINGTHE BIOREGION OFCATALONIA

Created in 2006 thanks to the Gover-nment of Catalonia and Barcelona CityCouncil, Biocats foundation gover-nance structure includes extensive re-presentation from the biomedical andbiotechnology sector, as well as theAdministration, universities, researchcompanies and support organizations.

Biocat promotes collaboration bet-ween biocluster stakeholders and avariety of other entities both inside andoutside of Catalonia, at the nationaland international level. It offers flexibleand innovative solutions to challengesfacing the sector, always pursuing the

highest quality and efficiency. The Bio-cat action plan has a clear customerfocus, reflecting a strong commitmentto its goals and people in general.

Its action plan is divided into fivestrategic priorities:

- Consolidation of Cataloniasbiocluster- Promoting business competiti-veness- Internationalization- Training and attracting talent- Generating a positive socialperception of biotechnology

To achieve its goals in the abovestated five priority areas, it hasdesigned tailor made programmesthat address the needs and specifi-cities of the sector, offering a rangeof services that run from trainingprogrammes to the publishing ofindustry reports, organizing sectormeetings and providing supportin the internationalization process,and even personalized advice forcompanies, project start-ups or thedesign of sector relevant strategicinitiatives.

Biocat, along with the City Coun-

cil, drives the citys internationalpromotion as a place for biotech-nology companies to set up via theBarcelona Biotech brand and it alsoestablishes partnerships with coun-terpart institutions and stakeholdersin the main international marketsof interest to promote exchangesand cooperation between sectormembers.

More information from

www.biocat.cat

Biocat is an entity that

coordinates and promotesinnovation into biotechnolo-gy, biomedicine and medi-cal technology in Catalonia.

Its mission is to promoteand energize stakeholdersoperating in this sector anddevelop related initiativesin order to create the right

environment for a powerfulresearch system to flourish.Other objectives includehelping to create active

knowledge transfers and anentrepreneurial businessnetwork so that this sectorcan become an economic

driver for the country andalso so that it contributesto the overall welfare ofsociety.

Over 600 representatives of Catalonias biotech sector meet every year for the Biocat Forum

Research Institute of the Hospital del Mar




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04

Over the last 20 years,

Public Administrations inCatalonia, Spain and Eu-rope have made seriouscommitments to promotingscience and technology,

by investing in universities,research centres, talent,

entrepreneurship, scienceparks and technology plat-

forms

Barcelona City Council has beenpromoting innovation in biotech-nology via a series of action plans:through its development agency,Barcelona Activa, via initiativescreated by its innovation district,22@Barcelona, and through itsemployment support programmes atPorta 22, besides the coordinatedactions of its management at theCouncils Department of Economics,Business and Employment. Theseare aimed at highlighting the valueof science and Catalan innovationwhile promoting the creation andgrowth of companies involved inbiotechnology, biomedicine andmedical technology.

Investment in biotechnology,whether it comes from the SpanishGovernment, the Autonomous Re-gional Government or the Europeanadministrations, has grown at a

significant rate with incentives forresearch, training and recruitment.

In Catalonia, spending on internalR&D has grown at around 12%on average per year, rising from2.107 bn in 2004 to 3.286 bn in 2008, which represents 1.61%of GDP (data published in 2010).The Autonomous Regional Go-vernment finances the sector viaits Department of Economics andKnowledge, the Department ofBusiness Enterprise and Emplo-yment, and the Health and Edu-cation Departments. For example,there are a number of program-mes regarding financing options:AGAUR programmes (Agency forthe Management of University andResearch Grants), the SGR call forconsolidated research groups, orACC1 programmes (Catalan tradeand development agency that offers

10.ACTIVEGOVERNMENTSUPPORT FOR THEBIOTECHNOLOGYWORLD

businesses a number of financingalternatives like risk capital lines,loans, guarantees, share swop loans,subsidies and tax incentives forR&D). In 2009 ACC1 spent upto 6.7 million euros on this sector:a million euros on research centreprojects, 4.1 million in grants forR&D in pharmaceutical, biotechand medical technology companiesand the rest on support structures(2009).

The Catalan government alsosupports investment in Catalonia viaits Invest in Catalonia agency, whichoffers services to companies withsolid and stable investment projects.These services include help andassistance at different levels andadvice on incentives and financing,or re-investment, or capital expan-sions, etc..

Meanwhile, the Catalan Institute ofFinance has placed 27 million eurosin venture capital funds that investexclusively or partially in this sector.

At the state level, we have grantslike Neotec, Profit, Torres Quevedo,Cenit, Consolidar and Ciber, thefinancing of Genoma Espaa andsubsidies from ICEX to businessassociations in the sector. One ofthe latest programmes is the sub-programme Severo Ochoa that isdesigned to encourage researchexcellence in Spanish State uni-versity departments or institutes,foundations, and centres, institutesand public agencies.

As regards talent, one highly notableexample of support measures is theAutonomous Regional Governmentof Catalonias ICREA programme,which has hired 250 researchers in

different areas, with 31% of theseworking in the field of life sciencesand health sciences.

Within each community, council,university, hospital, etc., we canfind institutions and developmentagencies (in Catalonia, ACC1and Barcelona Activa), evaluation,technology transfer and entrepre-neurship entities (like OTRI, eva-luation structures of research donein hospitals and universities, andtechnology springboards, etc..) thatare developing the consolidation ofknowledge in biosciences. Theseare promoting the sector alongwith the coordinated support andpromotional zeal of the bioclustermanagement team (Biocat)-, so asto create a true driver of the eco-nomy and an opportunity to makethe quality of life of society better.

The HQ of the Economic, Business and Employment Area and Barcelona Activa in Barcelonas 22@ area




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Links

05

[email protected]

ACC1-Generalitat de Catalunya(Catalan Government)www.acc10.cat

Management Agency of University and

Research Grants (AGAUR)www.gencat.cat/agaur

Department of Economics, Businessand Employment Barcelona CityCouncilwww.bcn.cat/barcelonabusiness

Asebiowww.asebio.com

Barcelona Activawww.barcelonactiva.cat

Barcelona SupercomputingCenter (BSC)www.bsc.es

Biocatwww.biocat.cat

Catalonia Biowww.cataloniabio.org

Centre for Biomedical ResearchEsther Koplowitz (CIBEK)www.cibek.org

Research Center for Nanoscience andNanotechnology (CINC2)www.cin2.es

Centre for Animal Biotechnology andGene Therapy (CBATEG)www.cbateg.net(en construcci)

Centre for Regenerative Medicine inBarcelona (CMRB)www.cmrbarcelona.eu

Centre for Research in AgriculturalGenomicswww.cragenomica.es

Centre for Research in EnvironmentalEpidemiology (CREAL)www.creal.cat

Barcelona Centre for InternationalHealth Research (CRESIB)www.cresib.cat

Centre for Genomic Regulation (CRG)www.crg.es

National Centre for GenomeAnalysis (CNAG)www.cnag.cat

Higher Research Council (CSIC)www.dicat.csic.es

ESADE Business Schoolwww.esade.edu

Genoma Espaawww.gen-es.org

Hospital Clnic i Provincial deBarcelonawww.hospitalclinic.orgHospital de la Santa Creu iSant Pauwww.santpau.esHospital de la Vall dHebronwww.vhebron.net

Hospital de Sant Joan de Duwww.hsjdbcn.org

Hospital del Mar (IMAS)www.parcdesalutmar.cat/hospitals/hospital-del-mar

Hospital Universitari de Bellvitgewww.bellvitgehospital.cat

Hospital Universitari GermansTrias i Pujolwww.gencat.cat/ics/germanstrias

IESE Business Schoolwww.iese.eduCatalan Institute for Research andAdvanced Studies (ICREA)www.icrea.cat

Catalan Institute of CardiovascularSciences (ICCC)

www.iccc.catCatalan Institute of Financewww.icfinances.com

Institute of High Technology(IAT)www.crccorp.es

Bellvitge Biomedical ResearchInstitute (IDIBELL)www.idibell.cat

Biomedical Research Instituteat Sant Pau Hospital (Sant PauIIB)www.iibsantpau.cat

Vall dHebron Institute of Oncology(VHIO)www.vhio.net

Institute for Bioengineering ofCatalonia (IBEC)www.ibecbarcelona.eu

Barcelona Institute of MolecularBiology (IBMB)www.ibmb.csic.es

Institute of Biotechnology andBiomedicine (IBB)http://ibb.uab.es

Institute of Neurosciencehttp://inc.uab.cat

Barcelona Institute for BiomedicalResearch (IRB)www.irbbarcelona.org

The AIDS Research Institute(IrsiCaixa)www.irsicaixa.org

Institute for Research andTechnology (IRTA)www.irta.es

Global Health Institute of Barcelona(ISGLOBAL)www.isglobal.es

August Pi i Sunyer Institute ofBiomedical Research (IDIBAPS)www.idibaps.org

Institut Municipal dInvestigaciMdica (IMIM)www.imim.es

Carlos III Health Institutewww.isciii.es

Laboratory of Proteomics CSIC-UAB

(LPCSIC-UAB)http://proteomica.uab.cat

Barcelona Science Park (PCB)www.pcb.ub.eduParc de lAlbawww.parcdelalba.com

Barcelona Biomedical ResearchPark (PRBB)www.prbb.orgUAB Research Park (PRUAB)http://parc.uab.es

ALBA Synchrotronwww.cells.esVall dHebron Research Institute(VHIR)www.ir.vhebron.net


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With co-financing

Documents

Barcelona - Dossier Biotecnologia Eng