Barcelona establishes itself as the host city for BIOSPAIN for the 2025 and 2027 editions
In its 12th edition, the event is expected to gather over 2,000 professionals from more than 1,000 organizations working in health, agri-food, and sustainable industrial solutions from October 7 to 9, 2025, at Fira de Barcelona.
AseBio Announces BIOSPAIN in Barcelona for the 2025 and 2027 Editions, One of Europe’s Leading Biotechnology Events
AseBio, in coordination with Biocat, the Generalitat de Catalunya, and the Barcelona City Council, has confirmed that the next two editions of BIOSPAIN will take place in Barcelona. The organization also aims to hold the 2029 edition in the Catalan capital.
The 12th edition will be hosted from October 7 to 9, 2025, at Fira de Barcelona in Montjuïc. Over 2,000 professionals from 1,000 organizations are expected to attend, focusing on health, sustainable agri-food, and climate change solutions.
Robert Fabregat, CEO of Biocat, expressed pride in Biocat’s role in bringing BIOSPAIN back to Barcelona for 2025 and 2027. He stated, “This decision underscores the international recognition of our ecosystem as a benchmark in the biotech and biopharmaceutical sectors. Collaboration with the Generalitat de Catalunya and the Barcelona City Council was key to achieving this milestone and solidifying Barcelona as a recurring European hub in the coming years.”
The previous BIOSPAIN edition, held in Barcelona in September 2023, was the largest in its history. Building on this success, AseBio decided to continue with Barcelona as the host city, confident that this continuity will yield equally outstanding results in future editions.
Barcelona and Catalonia: Leaders in Health Innovation
According to AseBio’s annual biotechnology sector report, Catalonia led Spain in 2023 with over 24% of biotech companies and more than 35% of the national sector's revenue. Additionally, Catalan biotech companies report the highest average revenue in a strategic industry contributing 1.26% of Spain’s GDP.
Catalonia’s BioRegion comprises over 1,400 companies and 91 research institutions, collectively generating 7.9% of the region’s GDP and employing nearly 6.5% of its workforce, according to the 2023 BioRegion of Catalonia Report.
Miquel Sàmper, Minister of Business and Labor for the Government of Catalonia, highlighted that hosting BIOSPAIN again is closely tied to Catalonia’s role as an innovation hub. He noted, “Our competitive pharmaceutical and technological ecosystems are vital engines of R&D, representing 25% of national R&D spending and contributing 4.1% to our GDP. We lead in innovative companies and patent applications.”
Barcelona: A Biotech Epicenter
The 2023 edition of BIOSPAIN exceeded expectations, with a 30% increase in attendance compared to the pre-pandemic 2018 event. It attracted over 2,200 professionals from 1,000 organizations across 34 countries, with Catalan companies making up a third of the participants. The event featured 260 exhibitors, 80 accredited investors, and facilitated nearly 5,000 partnering meetings.
Barcelona’s role as a global biotech hub was instrumental in cementing its position as the permanent biennial host of BIOSPAIN. Jordi Valls, Deputy Mayor for Economy, Finance, Economic Promotion, and Tourism for Barcelona City Council, stated, “Barcelona is the scientific and health capital of Spain and southern Europe. Our city and metropolitan area host the majority of Spain’s pharmaceutical industry and leading biomedical research centers. We are leaders in clinical trials and scientific production, driven by a strategic focus on science, innovation, and health as engines of progress and well-being. We’re thrilled to host BIOSPAIN in 2025 and 2027, confident that it will thrive in our ecosystem and further enhance Barcelona’s position as a European biomedicine hub.”
A Leading European Event
BIOSPAIN is one of Europe’s premier biotechnology events, designed to foster innovation, investment, collaboration, and new business opportunities. The event has played a pivotal role in the consolidation and internationalization of Spain’s biotech sector, reflecting its growing maturity.
According to the 2023 AseBio Report, Spain is home to nearly 1,000 dedicated biotech companies and over 4,400 businesses that engage in biotechnology as a secondary activity. The sector generates nearly €20 billion in revenue, adds €6.8 billion in value, and attracts €228 million in investment.
Rocío Arroyo, President of AseBio, emphasized, “BIOSPAIN is the leading platform to bring together Spain’s biotech sector, showcasing its remarkable growth and transformative potential. Returning to Barcelona will strengthen our international impact. We’re eager to highlight the achievements of an industry central to Europe’s strategic autonomy and a driver of innovation and societal progress.”