Bizkaia hosts BIOSPAIN 2026, turning the Basque Country into a European hub for biotechnology innovation and strategic autonomy

The Bilbao Exhibition Centre (BEC) hosted today the presentation of BIOSPAIN 2026, the benchmark event for the biotechnology sector in Spain and one of the leading gatherings in Europe. The new edition of the congress will take place from September 29 to October 1, 2026, and, under the claim “Bioinnovation that clicks,” is organized by the Spanish Bioindustry Association (AseBio), in collaboration with the Provincial Council of Bizkaia, the Basque Government, and the Basque Health Cluster (BHC).

The presentation featured the participation of Cristina Nadal, President of AseBio; Jaione Ganzarain, Vice Minister for Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation of the Basque Government; and Ainara Basurko, Deputy for Economic Promotion at the Provincial Council of Bizkaia. During the event, the organizers highlighted the sustained growth of the conference and its strategic importance as a driver of innovation, business, and talent for the biotechnology sector.

“BIOSPAIN 2026 will bring together in Bilbao the leading players in the biotechnology sector at a decisive moment for its consolidation in Europe, marked by the need to strengthen competitiveness, accelerate innovation, and move towards greater strategic autonomy. The event will offer a comprehensive overview of the ecosystem, addressing scientific advances, regulatory challenges, and business opportunities in areas such as health, the bioeconomy, and foodtech, while fostering the creation of strategic partnerships and institutional collaboration,” said Cristina Nadal, President of AseBio.

In her remarks, the government representative, Jaione Ganzarain, highlighted that the Industry Plan Euskadi 2030 “identifies the biosanitary industry as strategic, transformative, and growth-oriented, and deploys support instruments that complement the tools set out in the investment plan.” She also highlighted the presentation, just a few weeks ago, of the Transformative Project Smart Hydrogels for Personalized Nanomedicine as “an example of the dynamism of the life sciences sector.”

“For Bizkaia, hosting BIOSPAIN 2026 is a strategic opportunity to showcase our capabilities in a sector that is key to the future: life sciences, biotechnology, and health technologies. Bizkaia holds a particularly significant position within the Basque life sciences and health ecosystem, accounting for 45% of companies, 44% of employment, and 56% of sector revenues in the Basque Country. We are an industrial, scientific, and entrepreneurial territory, and BIOSPAIN fully aligns with our strategy to promote an economy based on knowledge, innovation, talent, and public-private collaboration,” said Ainara Basurko, Deputy for Economic Promotion.

A historic milestone: BIOSPAIN becomes an annual event for the first time

BIOSPAIN, traditionally a biennial event, will hold its first annual edition in 2026, a change driven by growing demand from the sector. The previous edition, held in Barcelona, brought together more than 2,400 participants from 35 countries, consolidating BIOSPAIN as a hub for business opportunities and high-quality networking.

A baton now taken up by Bilbao, marking the third time that the Basque Country will host BIOSPAIN following two successful editions. Since 2002, the Basque Country has maintained a consistent commitment to biosciences and biotechnology, particularly in the field of health. This strategy has driven economic and social development linked to the sector and is aligned with European priorities of reindustrialization, strengthening strategic autonomy in healthcare, and reducing dependence on external supplies and capabilities across the entire biosanitary value chain.

The Basque Country, a leading hub in life sciences

The region is consolidating itself as a leading European hub for innovation in life sciences and health, with more than 300 companies, 20 research centers, four universities, and leading hospitals. Bizkaia accounts for 45% of the companies, 44% of employment, and 56% of the sector’s revenue, standing out in biomanufacturing and advanced therapies.

The region generates more than €9.4 billion and employs over 62,000 people, positioning itself as a strategic hub for scientific output and the attraction of competitive European funding.

In short, BIOSPAIN 2026 is consolidating itself as an essential event for all stakeholders in the biotechnology sector. The congress will offer a unique space to explore the opportunities that biotechnology provides for building Europe’s strategic autonomy, as well as its key role in the continent’s defence, security, and resilience in a geopolitical context marked by profound changes. Participating in BIOSPAIN will allow companies, researchers, and investors to connect with industry leaders, discover cutting-edge innovations, and establish strategic alliances that will shape the future direction of biotechnology in Europe in the coming years.

2026 Program: Analysis and Debate on the Strategic Challenges of Biotechnology

The BIOSPAIN 2026 program offers a comprehensive overview of the scientific, technological, and regulatory advances shaping the future of biotechnology, combining high-level sessions with strategic debates on business opportunities and sector transformation. The agenda will focus on human health and personalized medicine, addressing topics ranging from CRISPR-based gene therapies and gene editing to the application of artificial intelligence in R&D, the development of RNA-based therapies, and the use of technologies such as next-generation sequencing and multi-omics analysis.

Regenerative medicine and advanced therapies will also be covered, exploring progress in CAR-T cells, organoids, mRNA-based therapies, and the automation of manufacturing processes, with a focus on sustainability and efficiency in health biotechnology.

The congress will also delve into specific therapeutic areas, including infectious diseases—with a special focus on vaccines and antimicrobial resistance—oncology with new developments in immunotherapy and antibody–drug conjugates, as well as neurodegenerative conditions such as Parkinson’s disease and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

In parallel, it will analyze the impact of digitalization in the sector, from the application of artificial intelligence in biomedical research and virtual trials to the use of real-world data, without overlooking cybersecurity and data protection in clinical environments.

Biotechnological innovation in key areas such as the bioeconomy, sustainable agriculture, bioenergy generation, and CO₂ conversion processes into value-added products will also play a central role. In parallel, the food and foodtech sector will have a prominent space, with discussions on precision fermentation, alternative proteins, biostimulants, cultivated meat, and the regulation of novel foods, as well as the role of artificial intelligence in the development of new products.

Participants will also be able to explore the industrialization and scaling-up of biotechnology, addressing biomanufacturing, bioprocesses, process analytical technologies, and the application of machine learning in production, as well as policy and regulatory aspects, including the Biotech Act, new genomic techniques, the regulation of substances of human origin (SoHO), and the evolution of European pharmaceutical legislation.

In addition, the program will feature keynote speeches and internationally renowned experts, including Juan Bueren, recognized for his career in research and development of advanced therapies, who will provide a global perspective on scientific, regulatory, and business advances, reinforcing BIOSPAIN’s strategic relevance as a forum for innovation, collaboration, and European leadership in biotechnology.

Networking and business opportunities

The event is consolidating itself as a unique space for building strategic relationships with key stakeholders and international investors. The previous edition brought together 140 investors from 76 national and international organizations and facilitated more than 4,500 meetings, ensuring real and high-value business opportunities.

Exhibition space sales and sponsorship opportunities are already open, with more than 40% of the space already booked, highlighting the international visibility that BIOSPAIN offers.

Talent Day: Boosting Talent in the Sector

The final day of BIOSPAIN will be dedicated to Talent Day, a space to connect students, researchers, and industry leaders. Companies will be able to present the profiles they are looking for, while attendees will align their training with real market demands. The program includes matchmaking sessions and discussions on the latest trends in talent and biotechnology skills.