#BIOSPAIN2025 | “BIOSPAIN and AseBio have played a key role in positioning Spain as a leading player in biotechnology at the European level.”

Access to specialized infrastructures, flexible and adapted to each stage of growth, has become a critical factor for the development of biotechnology. From basic laboratories for start-ups to advanced facilities for scale-ups, scientific hubs and collaborative ecosystems are positioned as key accelerators of innovation, talent attraction and investment.

On these challenges reflects Pilar Gil, coCEO of SID, the leading private science and innovation platform in Spain and Southern Europe, which manages more than 140,000 m² of infrastructures in Madrid and Barcelona. In an interview framed within BIOSPAIN 2025, to be held from October 7 to 9 in Barcelona, Gil analyzes how flexibility, collaboration and the creation of comprehensive environments are transforming the biotech ecosystem.

As a Platinum Sponsor of this edition, SID reinforces with its support the sector’s commitment to consolidating Spain and Southern Europe as strategic hubs for scientific and technological innovation.

AseBio. What is SID?

Pilar Gil. SID, Science and Innovation Districts, is the main private science and innovation platform in Spain and Southern Europe. Founded in 2020, it manages scientific districts in Madrid and Barcelona covering more than 140,000 m² of infrastructures designed for sectors such as biotechnology, life sciences, advanced technology and aerospace. As a benchmark in the development of private hubs, SID combines state-of-the-art laboratories, flexible workspaces and comprehensive services to facilitate research, development and collaboration between companies. With a community of more than 8,000 professionals, the company contributes to consolidating Spain as a strategic point in the European ecosystem of scientific and technological innovation.

AseBio. Why do you consider it essential for biotech companies and institutions to have infrastructures that are accessible and tailored to their specific needs?

Pilar Gil. In biotechnology, specialized infrastructure is not secondary; it is critical for the advancement of projects. Laboratories must meet demanding technical and regulatory standards, while at the same time being flexible and scalable to adapt to each phase of business growth.

Having accessible, ready-to-use spaces adapted to these needs allows companies to focus on what really matters: researching, collaborating and innovating. It is also a key condition for attracting talent and consolidating a competitive ecosystem at the international level.

At SID, we work precisely to fill that gap: we design and operate hubs such as SID/Madrid and SID/Barcelona that combine laboratories, offices, services and community in the same environment, thereby accelerating the development of the biotech sector in Spain and Southern Europe.

AseBio. What differences do you see in the infrastructure requirements between start-ups or spin-offs in early stages and scale-ups in growth phases?

Pilar Gil. The needs change radically between an early stage and a scaling phase. In their beginnings, start-ups and spin-offs usually require more standardized infrastructures, such as basic laboratories for exclusive use and shared access to core facilities (high-cost shared equipment, culture rooms, etc.), which allow them to validate their first hypotheses without major investments.

However, when a company enters a growth phase, it needs to internalize critical processes to ensure efficiency, safety and regulatory control. At this stage, access to core facilities becomes a value-added benefit, but not essential.

Moreover, each scale-up evolves differently. Some need to expand rapidly in laboratory space, others require more office space, and others need specific areas for production or logistics. No two cases are the same, which is why it is crucial to offer flexible and adaptable infrastructures that accompany the evolution of the business model without forcing the company to change location constantly.

At SID, we have designed our hubs to respond precisely to this diversity, with modular, scalable spaces and services that adapt to the pace of each company.

AseBio. What role do shared workspaces, such as laboratories or pilot plants, play in accelerating biotech projects?

Pilar Gil. They allow companies to reduce investment in scientific equipment, as well as rental and necessary technical staff costs.

This model not only optimizes resources, but also promotes experimentation: by not having to assume large initial expenses, companies can take controlled risks and advance their projects without compromising their financial viability.

At SID, we believe that these spaces and services, especially when part of a broader ecosystem like our hubs, are fundamental to democratizing scientific innovation and enabling more ideas to become real solutions.

AseBio. From your experience, what advantages does being part of hubs or physical ecosystems bring to companies compared to operating in isolation?

Pilar Gil. Science needs collaboration. When a company is part of a hub, it gains access not only to shared infrastructure and services, but also to an environment that fosters constant interaction with other sector players: from start-ups to multinationals, research centers, hospitals, universities…

This translates into faster project validation, finding strategic partners, sharing technical knowledge and generating real collaboration opportunities. In addition, the environment itself contributes to the well-being of talent and the retention of highly specialized profiles.

AseBio. How do flexible infrastructures and specialized hubs contribute to attracting talent and investment in the biotech sector?

Pilar Gil. Attracting talent and investment in biotech depends largely on having infrastructures that are truly prepared for the demands of the sector, both from a technical and human point of view.

In a globalized market, where scientists and funds can choose their destination, having ready-to-use, scalable laboratories aligned with international standards makes a difference. It facilitates the implementation of new projects, reduces entry barriers and improves the competitiveness of the local ecosystem.

But it is not only a matter of square meters or technology: specialized hubs must also offer environments that foster collaboration, well-being and professional development. At SID, for example, we integrate green areas, coliving, restaurants, gyms, daycare and services that help attract and retain highly qualified international talent.

AseBio. What emerging trends or needs in biotech infrastructures do you think will shape the next decade?

Pilar Gil. One of the major transformations in the sector is the consolidation of private and flexible models of scientific infrastructure. This is already a reality in ecosystems such as Boston, London or Oxford, and in Spain it is starting to gain strength due to the maturity of the sector and the demand for this type of infrastructure.

Companies need turnkey infrastructures, adaptable, certified and customizable, without having to bear the costs or timelines of building from scratch. This trend is here to stay and will mark a before and after in how R&D projects are developed in Europe.

In addition, we will see growing diversification in the sectors applying biotechnology: not only pharmaceuticals, but also food, genetics, agriculture, medical devices, sustainability or bioengineering. This will require more versatile laboratories, small-scale production spaces and collaborative environments capable of integrating very diverse scientific profiles.

In short: more flexibility and more focus on enabling the sustainable growth of innovation. That is the infrastructure that will be in demand over the next ten years, and at SID we are already building it.

AseBio. Finally, what has motivated SID to support BIOSPAIN 2025 as a Platinum Sponsor, and what do you expect to achieve with your participation in a reference event for biotechnology in Spain and internationally?

Pilar Gil. At SID we firmly believe in the role that BIOSPAIN and AseBio have played in positioning Spain as a key player in biotechnology at the European level. The ecosystem has evolved a lot in recent years, and BIOSPAIN is undoubtedly one of the platforms that showcase and project it internationally. For us, supporting this edition is a way to acknowledge and actively contribute to that collective effort.

In addition to being a strategic meeting point with potential clients and partners, BIOSPAIN is also a key space to strengthen institutional relationships and closely follow scientific, technical and market trends.

As a demonstration of our commitment, we will make our booth available to all companies located in our hubs so that they can use it as a meeting space and showcase to gain visibility.

For us, BIOSPAIN is a key space in the sector, and being actively present allows us to reinforce our mission: to create ecosystems that drive scientific innovation in Spain and Southern Europe.