On Friday 24th November, Barcelona & Partners, Barcelona Global’s investment attraction agency, co-organised an event with partner Ajuntament de L’Hospitalet at Hotel Porta Fira Barcelona. The event was aimed at boosting the BioCluster project, which is set to span across the areas of L’Hospitalet and Esplugues de Llobregat, in Barcelona.
The event brought together over a hundred professionals from administrations and businesses in the life sciences and health sectors. The focal point of this gathering was the introduction of the groundbreaking BioCluster project, set to unfold in the vibrant areas of L’Hospitalet and Esplugues de Llobregat, within the city of Barcelona.
Mayors and Leaders Share Enthusiasm
The event saw engaging presentations from key figures such as the Mayors of L’Hospitalet, Nuria Marín, and Esplugues, Pilar Diaz, along with Barcelona Global’s President, Maite Barrera. Together, they emphasized how the BioCluster initiative is poised to revolutionise the metropolitan landscape of Barcelona, establishing it as a leading innovation hub in southern Europe.
«It will be a magnet for new investments, laboratories, and biomedicine companies, generating wealth and attracting talent. The synergy of these elements position Barcelona, L’Hospitalet, and Esplugues at the forefront of cities leading in the field of life sciences and health,» stated Maite Barrera, president of Barcelona Global.
Driving Biomedical Research and Innovation
At the heart of the BioCluster project is a mission to catalyze biomedical research and innovation. The strategy involves attracting companies in health, medical technology, biomedicine, and the pharmaceutical industry. This collaborative effort aims to construct a robust ecosystem dedicated to advancing health sciences.
The BioCluster has been promoted by the City Councils of L’Hospitalet and Esplugues, the Bellvitge Hospital, the University of Barcelona Bellvitge campus, the Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), the Catalan Institute of Oncology (ICO), and the Sant Joan de Déu Hospital, with the support of the Catalan and Spanish Governments.
In this regard, only the BioCluster sector linked to L’Hospitalet (Bellvitge Hospital, University of Barcelona, IDIBELL, and ICO) is estimated to have an economic impact of over €7 billion in turnover and will enable the creation of 48,200 direct and indirect jobs, according to data provided by the first deputy mayor of the municipality, Francesc Belver.
Belver has informed the sector about the current status of the Biopol-Gran Via Urban Development Plan, which will cover a total area of 96 hectares, of which 556,000 square meters will be buildable land, in addition to 498,000 square meters of green areas.
In addition to creating new infrastructure, the BioCluster will also generate services through the establishment of a Smart Health Community, currently being developed by project partners. The goal is to improve citizens’ health through the use of technology, digitization, and their applications in personalized medicine.
