BIOSPAIN 2026 and the UK: Connecting two leading biotech ecosystems to drive innovation and investment

BIOSPAIN, Spain’s largest biotechnology event and one of the leading biotech gatherings in Europe, will hold its next edition in Bilbao from 29 September to 1 October 2026. Organised by AseBio, in collaboration with the Basque Government through Basque Trade & Investment and SPRI, the event will bring together companies, investors, research centres and institutions from around the world to foster innovation, collaboration and business oportunities in biotechnology.

This edition will feature the United Kingdom as the Guest Nation of BIOSPAIN 2026, recognising the importance of one of the world’s most dynamic and innovative biotechnology ecosystems. The UK is home to one of the world’s leading life sciences ecosystems. In 2023/24, the sector generated £146.9 billion in turnover, comprised around 7,320 companies and employed approximately 359,600 people across the country. The UK also accounts for 11.5% of global medical sciences academic citation counts, reflecting the strength of its research base and its position as a global hub for scientific excellence, innovation and biotechnology development.

On this occasion, we spoke with Ceri Morgan, HM Trade Commissioner for Europe, to learn more about the objectives behind the UK’s participation in BIOSPAIN, the strengths of its biotechnology sector, and the opportunities for collaboration between the United Kingdom and Spain at a pivotal time for the development of life sciences and biotechnology.

AseBio. The United Kingdom will be the Guest Nation at BIOSPAIN 2026. What does it mean for the UK to participate in Spain’s leading biotechnology event and one of the most important biotech gatherings in Southern Europe?

Ceri Morgan. Spain is one of Europe’s most dynamic biotech markets, and BIOSPAIN is widely recognised as a key meeting point for Southern Europe. So for the UK to be the Guest Nation at BIOSPAIN 2026 is a great opportunity to be able to connect Spanish companies with the strength and breadth of our own world-leading life sciences and biotechnology offer.

For the UK, participation reflects not only our commitment to international collaboration, but also the strategic importance of life sciences the strategic importance of life sciences as a priority growth sector under the UK’s Modern Industrial Strategy—our long-term plan to drive economic growth by investing in high-value, innovation-led industries.

It is an opportunity to deepen ties with Spain and to position the UK as the partner of choice for innovation, investment and scientific excellence in Europe and globally.

It also allows us to highlight the UK as a leading hub for biotech innovation, supported by world-class talent, strong research capabilities, and close collaboration between government, academia and industry.

AseBio. What are the main objectives the United Kingdom hopes to achieve through its participation in BIOSPAIN 2026?

Ceri Morgan. Our main objective is to build meaningful and long-term partnerships between UK and Spanish organisations across the biotechnology value chain.

This includes facilitating collaboration in research, driving business development opportunities, and promoting investment flows in both directions.

We also aim to showcase the UK as a global centre for innovation, particularly in biopharmaceuticals, advanced therapies and data-driven healthcare. The UK government, through initiatives such as the Life Sciences Sector Plan and its long standing partnerships with industry, is actively working to make the UK the best place in the world to develop and deploy new health technologies.

AseBio. From your perspective, what strengths make the Spanish biotechnology ecosystem an attractive partner for British companies and institutions?

Ceri Morgan. Spain offers a dynamic and fast-growing biotechnology ecosystem, with a strong scientific base, increasing R&D investment, and a growing number of innovative companies.

It also stands out for its high-quality healthcare system and effective public–private collaboration.

Together with its skilled talent and strong research infrastructure, this makes Spain a very attractive and complementary partner for UK organisations looking to collaborate on innovation and development.

AseBio. What opportunities for collaboration do you see between the UK and Spanish biotechnology ecosystems in areas such as healthcare, industrial biotechnology and agrifood biotechnology?

Ceri Morgan. There are significant opportunities across multiple areas. In healthcare biotechnology, both countries have strong capabilities in areas such as genomics, clinical research, and advanced therapies, creating a natural basis for joint research and clinical development.

In industrial and agrifood biotechnology, collaboration can build on shared priorities such as sustainability, bio-based production, and the trasition to more resilient supply chains.

The UK’s strengths in bioengineering, AI and data applications can complement Spain’s growing industrial biotech capacity, creating new opportunities for innovation across sectors. The UK’s position as the most vibrant, most financially backed AI enviroment in Europe is something that Spanish companies can tap into and benefit from.

AseBio. The United Kingdom is home to some of the world’s most dynamic biotechnology clusters. In your view, what are keyfactors that have driven the growth and competitiveness of the UK biotech sector?

Ceri Morgan. The UK’s strength in biotechnology is underpinned by a highly dynamic ecosystem that brings together cutting-edge research, innovative start-ups, and global life sciences companies. We offer a unique combination of scientific excellence, access to capital and a supportive business environment, making the UK an attractive destination for companies looking to innovate and grow. From the ‘golden triangle’ of London, Oxford and Cambridge to vibrant regional clusters across the country from Manchester to Glasgow, South Wales to Liverpool, there are clusters of expertise across the country where academia, talent, capital and customers converge.

And through our Industrial Strategy we’ve committed to making business with the UK easier, more streamlined, and better-funded. For example slashing clinical trials times to under 150 days, streamlining regulation and market access, and introducing low-friction procurement.

This is further reinforced by a strong policy framework, with life sciences identified as a priority sector within the UK's Industrial Strategy — recognising its central role in driving economic growth, attracting investment and advancing innovation. Through initiatives such as the Life Sciences Sector Plan and designated growth zones such as the Ox Cam Corridor the UK is actively supporting R&D, improving access to funding, and creating the conditions for companies to start, scale and stay in the UK.

Combined with strengths such as our clinical trials infrastructure, world-leading research base and close collaboration between industry, academia and the NHS, this creates a highly competitive enviroment for biotech growth and international partnerships, positioning the UK as a leading global hub for life sciences and springboard for a global growth. 

AseBio. What role does the UK’s Department for Business and Trade play in supporting biotechnology companies and promoting international investment in the sector? 

Ceri Morgan. The Department for Business and Trade plays a central role in supporting the sector internationally. Our focus is twofold: helping UK companies expand abroad and attracting and supporting international businesses to invest in the UK.

In life sciences, this includes increasing international businesses’ understanding of the benefits of choosing the UK as a destination for investment, facilitating partnerships between international and UK organisations, and supporting companies in accessing new markets.

More broadly, the UK government works to ensure that the sector benefits from a competitive business environment and strong global connections, reinforcing our position as a leading innovation hub.

AseBio. In a global context marked by technological competition and the need to strengthen industrial resilience, what role do you believe biotechnology will play in the UK’s economic strategy over the coming years?

Ceri Morgan. Biotechnology is a central pillar of the UK’s economic strategy in the coming years. It is already recognised as one of the UK's key growth sectors, contributing significantly to jobs, investment, and innovation needed to transform our services.

Beyond its economic role, biotechnology is essential for addressing global challenges—from healthcare and ageing populations to sustainability and food security. The UK’s approach is to align industrial policy with scientific innovation, ensuring that breakthroughs in research translate into tangible economic and societal benefits.

AseBio. Which areas of innovation or biotechnology trends do you believe will have the greatest impact in the near future, and in which does the UK aspire to take a leading role?

Ceri Morgan. Several trends are expected to have a major impact. And in many of these the UK is already playing a leading role. These include advanced therapies such as cell and gene therapies, precision medicine enabled by genomics, and the increasing use of artificial intelligence and real-world data in drug development. It includes microgravity biopharma – essentially experiments in space!

The UK is particularly well positioned in these areas, with strong capabilities in genomics, health data infrastructure, and clinical research. Initiatives such as large-scale genomic programmes and health data assets are helping to accelerate innovation and support the development of next-generation treatments.

AseBio. What message would you like to convey to Spanish companies, research centres and investors interested in establishing partnerships or developing projects with UK organisations?

Ceri Morgan. My message would be that the UK is open, collaborative and committed to building strong partnerships. We see Spain as a key strategic partner in Europe, and there is significant potential to work together across research, innovation and invesment.

The UK offers a highly connected ecosystem, access to cutting-edge science, a supportive policy environment and generous R&D support.

For Spanish organisations looking to internationalise or collaborate, the UK provides an excellent platform to scale innovation and access global markets.

AseBio. For those considering attending BIOSPAIN 2026, what can they expect from the United Kingdom’s participation as Guest Nation, and why do you believe this event will be a key meeting point for the biotechnology sector?

Ceri Morgan. As Guest Nation, we’re fortunate to have a large UK pavilion hosting a strong group of British biotech companies—including organisations such as Sygnature Discovery, Almac, ApconiX and CPI, which bring world-class research capabilities and specialist R&D services, as well as Medicines Discovery Catapult, the UK’s national innovation centre for drug discovery supporting collaborative R&D and the development of new medicines. Alongside this, additional UK companies are exhibiting with their own stands, such as Upperton Pharma Solutions and Seda Pharma Development Services, both providing expert pharmaceutical development , manufacturing and clinical support services. Together, this reflects the strength and diversity of the UK`s life sciences sector, from innovative start-ups to more established players, as well as research institutions and investors.

We’re aiming to bring both energy and substance to the programme, with activities designed to spark meaningful connections—whether through informal moments like a networking breakfast on the UK stand with Spanish partners and investors, or more focused discussions.

I’ll be chairing a UK roundtable within the Global Connecting Partners session, offering a chance to explore collaboration opportunities around the Horizon programme. We’ll also see a strong UK presence across the wider conference agenda, with British speakers contributing to a range of sessions.

More broadly, BIOSPAIN 2026 is a real opportunity to connect ecosystems, exchange ideas and accelerate joint innovation—at a time when international collaboration is more important than ever for the future of biotechnology.