The last two years have unquestionably made a difference in the biomedical and health sector, and Catalonia has not been an exception. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of a commitment to knowledge and innovation industry, the need to have a local industrial network, while acknowledging that biotechnology and medical technology is a rising sector. This atmosphere of optimism about the situation of the sector has been present in the celebration of the Night of CataloniaBio & Healthtech, the annual meeting of the health and life sciences sector in Catalonia, which was held this March 22 at the Palau de la Música in Barcelona. The event was attended by the Catalan Minister of Health, Josep Maria Argimon, and more than 250 members of the association, including entrepreneurs, executives, and investors in the sector.
Joan Puig: "Reaching 200 members confirms that CataloniaBio & HealthTech is going in the right direction"
During the Night, Joan Puig, the president of CataloniaBio & HealthTech, in what is his first appearance since the recent renewal of the Board of Directors, conveyed to attendees a message of excitement and optimism about the situation the sector is living, despite the last two years with obvious operational limitations due to the pandemic. “As reflected in the BioRegion Report, the sector is following a growth trend in the main macroeconomic indicators such as business creation, turnover and employment, at the same time as it has reached a new historical record of attracting investment reaching 238M," he stressed.
On the other hand, he praised the consolidation of the entity, which has surpassed the barrier of 200 members. "Reaching the number of 200 members confirms that at CataloniaBio & HealthTech we are going in the right direction and the members appreciate the value of belonging to a community that facilitates synergies and collaborations between members." Lastly, and looking to the future, he reaffirmed his commitment and that of the entire Board of Directors to continue to promote CataloniaBio & HealthTech in the four years of their term of office and has encouraged members to take an active part in the various initiatives.
Before the Bioexit Award, the assistants enjoyed a lecture by Mr. Josemaria Siota, Executive Director of Entrepreneurship and Innovation Center (IESE Business School), entitled "Tackling the EU Valley of Death via corporate venturing in deep tech".
Josep Maria Argimon: "it is time to plan a response to the country's economic recovery based on knowledge, innovation and production in the health industries"
The Catalan Minister gave the Bioèxit Award 2022, which this year was awarded to the biotechnology company IMIDomics, a spin-off from Vall d’Hebron, in recognition of the milestones achieved in 2021. Closing the gala, the Minister of Health Josep Maria Argimon recalled the importance, value and weight of the health and life sciences sector in Catalonia, proven by the fact that the country participates in 8% of clinical trials conducted worldwide.
He also reiterated that innovation in health becomes key to the system, as shown by the pandemic, that highlighted the importance and impact it has for a country to have a powerful health innovation in health ecosystem, for example with research and technology centers capable of designing new therapies, vaccines or diagnostic tests, hospitals capable of providing first-class care services, or a pharmaceutical or medical technology industry, with the capacity to respond quickly to needs, and scaling up production and services. "We believe in the power of our health research and innovation system, in the assets and wealth it generates, in the position of Catalonia and in the return that these capabilities have to society," said Argimon, for whom "it is time to take the initiative and plan a response to the country's economic recovery based on knowledge, innovation and production in the health industries."
The CataloniaBio & HealthTech Gala Dinner has the support of BCNPeptides, Ysios Capital and ACCIÓ (Government of Catalonia).
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