AseBio closes out year with 1,000 lines of research registered

This Thursday, AseBio updated the Spanish biotechnology pipeline, where the association has been compiling all of its members’ research and developments for over 16 years. At the end of the year, there were 863 lines of work in health, another 107 in agrifood and 27 in industrial biotechnology. Of all the innovations identified (997), 203 are already available on the market or ready for exploitation. 

“This pipeline plays a key role in showcasing the work of biotechnology companies, what they are researching and, of course, boosting our sector and raising awareness of it among general society and the public administration,” noted AseBio CEO Ion Arocena. “Collaboration is in our DNA and the only way we can move towards a more sustainable, resilient growth model. This pipeline is a showcase, a dynamic network and a source of essential information for forging synergies and bonds among the various stakeholders in the Spanish biotechnology system,” he added. 

Health, the main focus of the portfolio of biotech products

With 65.5% of its members working in the field of health, AseBio highlights that oncology has been the focus of work by Spanish biotechnology companies since the very start of this pipeline, with over 42 lines of research under way. It is followed closely by diseases of the central nervous system, such as Alzheimer, Parkinson’s and multiple sclerosis, with 41 lines of research. In the same line, within the area of personalised medicine and diagnostic products and services, 28% (46) target cancer, 15% (25) infectious diseases -an area that has grown notably since the onset of Covid-19- and 11% (18) diagnostics for diseases of the central nervous system. 

Although some ideas that come out of the labs manage to reach the market and patients, there is still a long way to go to ensure most innovations don’t stagnate and to accelerate the process. 88% of lines of research into biodrugs at national companies are still in the early stages. Fina Lladós, head of the AseBio Healthcare Committee and general manager of Amgen Iberia, highlights: “If we want to develop a strong, stable biotechnology sector in our country, the National Health System plays a critical role. And not only for mature companies, but for start-ups too, which need the country to welcome the innovation they bring with open arms.”

Bioproducts and bioprocesses find their place in society

The climate emergency, for decades now, has been highlighting the urgent need to find solutions for a more sustainable economic system. Biotechnology is already working on it, as the AseBio pipeline shows, with more than 134 developments. 

If we turn the magnifying glass on accelerating industrial transformation and the green transition, we see that a dozen AseBio members are working on 27 solutions. In terms of bioproducts, bioprocesses and technologies, 19 are ready for exploitation and 13 are available on the market. 

With the same goal of caring for the planet, AseBio has counted 107 developments from 20 companies in agrifood and veterinary drugs. In ingredients, additives and probiotics, there are 24 products available on the market. And regarding products for food safety and substance detection, there are 16 available. If we look at the 37 bioproducts, bioprocesses and other technologies in the pipeline in this field, 23 have already reached society. Plus, 4 companies are developing 14 types of veterinary medicines and 12 of them are ready to launch. 

“The future of the agrifood industry is at a crossroads that will only be overcome with science and technology,” noted Daniel Ramón Vidal, biologist and founder and CEO of ADM Biopolis, a biotechnology spin-off of the CSIC (Spanish National Research Council) founded in 2003. “In the coming 15 years, we will have to develop a healthier, more sustainable agrifood system. And biotechnology’s contribution will be fundamental to tackling this challenge. Our country is well positioned to do this because we have quality biotechnology research, both at public centres and companies,” he concluded.

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Note on methodology: In healthcare, this pipeline includes lines of research into biodrugs not yet on the market for multinational corporations with a subsidiary in Spain and national companies. Also, for national companies, it includes diagnostic and personalised medicine products not yet available on the market. Plus, it includes research platforms and other technologies related to this area.

The pipeline also features products developed in agrifood (ingredients, additives, probiotics, products for food safety and substance detection, animal feed, bioproducts, bioprocesses, other technologies in agrifood and veterinary drugs). It also includes products in the industrial field, bioproducts and bioprocesses in the industrial arena and industrial technologies. For each one, the pipeline shows the phase of development, exploitation status and whether it is available on the market. For veterinary drugs, only medicines currently in development are listed.