Biotechnology is positioned as a highly innovative sector that has turned science into an engine of economic, sustainable growth and social well-being, as it has demonstrated during the pandemic and with the development of vaccines against Covid-19. Investing in biotechnology is doing so in the search for innovative solutions to social and generational challenges.
Biotechnology is a deep tech that transforms the world through technologies such as advanced therapies, precision food, CRISPR, messenger RNA, the microbiome or the revaluation of waste, bioplastics and biomaterials. BIOSPAIN has witnessed the evolution of the sector, an event that for 20 years has been organized by the Spanish Association of Biocompanies (AseBio). This 2023 will take place from September 26 to 28 in Barcelona, the main biotechnology cluster in Spain, with the collaboration of Biocat, the Barcelona City Council and the Generalitat de Catalunya.
Two decades ago, when BIOSPAIN took its first steps, the Spanish business fabric had some 50 'biotech' companies. Today, the figure is close to 900 with an average creation per year of 48 new companies. The year 2008 marked a turning point with the birth of specialized funds. At that time, the capture of biotechnological companies did not exceed 17 million euros, while today we are talking about 140 million euros, according to data advanced by the AseBio 2022 Report.
This year, with a program of more than 50 sessions, BIOSPAIN will become the epicenter of trends in health, agri-food, industrial transformation or green transition. A meeting point where more than 1,700 attendees from some 850 entities from more than 30 countries will meet.
Talking about BIOSPAIN is talking about the history of biotechnology. How 'biotech', despite the difficulty and high cost of innovations that can take years to reach the market, continue to develop disruptive solutions to guarantee the health and sustainability of the planet.
The promotion of research, development and innovation, as well as guaranteeing access to new medicines, is vital in health, where biotechnology is transforming the approach to diseases.
BIOSPAIN 2023 will analyze current issues such as personalized medicine and advanced diagnosis, resistance to antibiotics, advanced therapies and the capabilities of the Spanish bioindustry in the discovery of new drugs, among others.
“The future of medicine passes inexorably through biotechnology. About 30% of new drugs approved by regulatory authorities are already biologics. The union of genetics and biotechnology makes it possible to treat diseases that until now we thought were intractable and address serious pathologies, such as cancer, in a more precise and personalized way”, explains Fina Lladós, General Director of Amgen Iberia, Platinum Sponsor of BIOSPAIN 2023.
BIOSPAIN 2023 has set itself the goal of being a meeting point for all agents to promote the transition towards a more sustainable model. Climate change, land degradation and population growth pose global challenges that force the implementation of new forms of production and consumption that respect the limits of the planet.
“We are facing a great challenge: to feed a constantly growing population while respecting the planet. The arable surface does not increase and to produce food in sufficient quantity and protecting the environment, we need innovation and technology, and biotechnology contributes significantly to providing solutions to this challenge”, explains Richard Borreani, Public Affairs, Science
In its twentieth anniversary, BIOSPAIN has established itself as one of the international reference events for the biotechnology sector. A complete showcase of all the potential of the industry and its presence in all areas of society.
“In the agri-food sector, biotechnology plays a fundamental role and it is very important that society be aware of it. Biotechnological innovations are based on science and it is important that scientists can communicate this by taking advantage of an event like BIOSPAIN”, says Borreani.
“From the birth of Amgen to putting the first drug on the market, nine years passed. Today it has more than 22,000 employees. A leap that we made thanks to the talent of our scientists, in the first place, but without a doubt also thanks to meetings like BIOSPAIN, in which we found the springs, discussion forums and the necessary financing”, conclude from Amgen.
