BIOSPAIN 2026 closes in Bilbao, strengthening its position as a meeting point for BioRegions and a hub for the major debates shaping biotechnology
- The congress brought together more than 1,900 attendees from nearly 900 organisations across 32 countries, as well as 95 investors representing 50 national and international investment organisations.
- BIOSPAIN 2026 concludes its latest edition with more than 4,000 one-to-one meetings held.
- Barcelona will host BIOSPAIN 2027, with Mexico as Guest Country.
The international biotechnology event BIOSPAIN 2026 took place on 29 and 30 September and 1 October at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) under the theme “Bioinnovation that clicks”. Organised by the Spanish Bioindustry Association (AseBio) in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Basque Government and Basque Health Cluster, the event has concluded its thirteenth edition and announced Barcelona as its host city for 2027.
The congress brought together more than 1,900 attendees from nearly 900 organisations across 32 countries, as well as 95 investors representing 50 national and international investment organisations. BIOSPAIN 2026 closes its latest edition with more than 4,000 one-to-one meetings held.
The event concluded with the announcement of Barcelona as the host city for BIOSPAIN 2027, during a ceremony attended by Teresa Riesgo, Secretary General for Innovation at the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities; Ainara Basurko, Provincial Councillor for Economic Promotion at the Provincial Council of Bizkaia; Ion Arocena, CEO of AseBio; and Robert Fabregat, CEO of Biocat. The ceremony was also attended by Víctor Sanchez, CEO and founder of Pragmatec Enterprise Network Mexico, representing Mexico, the Guest Country of BIOSPAIN 2027.
Upon accepting the handover, Robert Fabregat, CEO of Biocat, told attendees: “Hosting the next edition of BIOSPAIN will be an exceptional opportunity to showcase the scientific, business and clinical strengths of the BioRegion and to continue connecting research, industry and investment. At Biocat, we are approaching this edition with great enthusiasm and with the ambition of once again making Barcelona and Catalonia a meeting point for the national and international biotechnology community.”
Catalonia has consolidated its position as one of Europe’s most dynamic life sciences and health ecosystems. The BioRegion brings together 1,650 companies and 94 research institutions, generates more than 306,000 jobs and accounts for 7.6% of Catalonia’s GDP. In 2025, its startups and scaleups also reached an all-time investment record, raising €517 million.
Talent Day: connecting talent with biotechnology companies
The final day also featured Talent Day, a space dedicated to connecting students, researchers and professionals with companies and organisations in the biotechnology sector, showcasing the professional opportunities offered by the industry while helping companies access the specialised profiles they need.
Throughout the day, attendees had the opportunity to take part in sessions addressing professional development, the importance of attracting and retaining talent, the transition from academia to industry, and the challenges involved in attracting and retaining specialised talent in the life sciences.