health tech Archives - Innovation Safari

AstraZeneca Global Hub

The AstraZeneca Global Hub in Barcelona is one of Europe’s largest and most significant centers for biomedical research and digital innovation. Launched in 2023, it serves as a central point for accelerating the development of next-generation treatments across the company’s main therapeutic areas.

Core Mission & Operations

Biomedical Innovation: The hub focuses on developing new molecules and therapies using a model that combines traditional science with Data Science, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and precision medicine.
Therapeutic Areas: Research projects target six key fields: Oncology, Cardiovascular, Renal and Metabolism, Respiratory and Immunology, Vaccines and Immunotherapies, and Rare Diseases (supported by its subsidiary Alexion).
Clinical Excellence: The center drives over 380 research projects and 190 clinical trials.

Strategic Investment & Workforce

Massive Investment: AstraZeneca has committed €1.3 billion to the hub through 2027.
Growing Talent: The hub currently employs approximately 1,600 professionals from 62 nationalities, with plans to reach 2,000 employees by late 2025.
Language: As a global innovation center, English is the primary working language.

BSC Barcelona Supercomputing Center

The Barcelona Supercomputing Center (BSC-CNS) is Spain’s national supercomputing facility and a leading research institution in Europe. Established in 2005, it is most famous for housing the MareNostrum supercomputer.

A Unique Setting: High-Tech in a Chapel

One of the BSC’s most striking features is its location. The supercomputer is housed inside the Torre Girona, a 19th-century de-consecrated chapel on the Campus Nord of the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC). Seeing the glowing glass box of MareNostrum inside the classic stone arches of the chapel makes it one of the most beautiful data centers in the world.

MareNostrum 5

The latest iteration, MareNostrum 5, is among the most powerful supercomputers globally. It is designed to support a wide range of scientific fields, with a specific focus on boosting Artificial Intelligence (AI) and European chip technology.

With a team of over 1,300 experts, the center focuses on:

Life Sciences: Personalizing medicine and simulating drug interactions.
Earth Sciences: Modeling climate change and predicting air quality.
Computer Sciences: Designing the next generation of European processors.
Engineering: Simulating complex fluid dynamics for aircraft or city infrastructure.

Towa Barcelona Hub

Towa Barcelona Hub is the global digital and operational hub for Towa Pharmaceutical, a leading Japanese generic drug manufacturer. Based in Martorelles (Barcelona), Spain, this facility manages all international business activities outside of Japan, covering Europe, North America, and beyond.

Core Mission & Operations

Global Hub: Established in 2020 following the acquisition of Pensa Pharma from the Spanish group Esteve, the Barcelona site now oversees operations in the US, Italy, and Portugal, distributing to over 40 countries.
Research & Development: The site serves as a Center of Excellence, featuring a high-tech R&D center and a pilot plant dedicated to creating value-added generic medicines.
Manufacturing Powerhouse: One of the largest plants in Europe, covering 35,000 m² with a production capacity exceeding 5.5 billion doses annually.

Key Details

Workforce: Nearly 1,000 employees globally, with roughly 800 based in Spain.
Innovation Investment: The company has invested over €100 million in the hub since 2019 to modernize facilities and expand its R&D pipeline.

Eurecat

Eurecat is the leading technology center in Catalonia and the second-largest private research organization in Southern Europe. It serves as a bridge between scientific knowledge and industrial application to boost business competitiveness.

A provider of applied R&D, technological services, and specialized training for companies.

Main Services

Training: Highly specialized professional courses via Eurecat AcademyOver 650-700 professionals, an annual income of approximately €50–52M, and a portfolio of over 150 patents.

Applied R&D: Custom innovation projects for SMEs and large corporations.

Infrastructure: Access to more than 20 specialized laboratories and pilot plants for testing and prototyping.

Barcelona Health Tech Open Innovation Safari

Explore one of Europe’s most dynamic Health Tech ecosystems

Location: Barcelona – Themes: Health Tech / AI for Health – Duration: One Day

The Barcelona Health Tech Open Innovation Safari is a one-day immersive experience designed for professionals who want to explore how innovation is transforming healthcare.

Led by Certified Innovation Safari Sherpa Francesc Saldaña, this Safari takes participants inside the Barcelona Health Hub, one of the most vibrant Health Tech ecosystems in Europe.

During the experience, explorers will discover how startups, researchers and innovators are developing new technologies that are shaping the future of healthcare.

Participants will explore topics such as:

AI for Health
Health Tech
Digital health innovation
Biotechnology

Innovation Safaris allow professionals to experience innovation where it actually happens.

The experience

The Safari combines curated exploration with interactive activities designed to encourage learning, discussion and inspiration.

Participants will:

Exploration walk at Barcelona Health Hub
Meet startups and innovators working on new health technologies
Innovation workshop with other explorers
Participate in discussions about emerging trends in healthcare innovation

This immersive approach helps participants better understand how innovation happens within the Health Tech ecosystem.

What explorers will gain

Explorers will learn and design by:

discovering emerging technologies and innovation trends
understanding how innovation ecosystems operate
connecting with innovators and organizations
generating ideas and inspiration for future projects

Who Should Join

This Innovation Safari is designed for professionals interested in innovation and emerging technologies, including:

corporate innovation leaders
researchers and academics
entrepreneurs and startup founders
technology professionals
public sector innovation managers

Participants from different sectors are encouraged to join and share perspectives.

Join this Open Safari

Limited group to ensure a high-quality exploration experience.

ICFO

ICFO (The Institute of Photonic Sciences) is a world-class research center located in Castelldefels, just outside Barcelona. It is dedicated to the science and technology of light (photonics) and is widely considered one of the top research institutions in Europe.

Key Mission and Research

Founded in 2002 by the Government of Catalonia and the Polytechnic University of Catalonia (UPC), ICFO focuses on using light to solve global challenges in:

Health: Developing advanced imaging and laser tools for non-invasive medical diagnostics and therapies.
Energy: Researching high-efficiency solar cells and sustainable energy harvesting.
Information Technology: Leading innovations in Quantum Computing, cryptography, and ultra-fast optical communications.

Innovation and Industry

ICFO is highly focused on “knowledge frontier” research that leads to real-world applications:

KTT (Knowledge & Technology Transfer): The institute has a dedicated unit to bridge the gap between lab research and the market.
Spin-offs: ICFO has launched over 15 startups (such as Quside, LuxQuanta, and Sixsenso) specializing in quantum security, environmental monitoring, and biomedical devices.
Graphene Hub: It hosts the Graphene Center, exploring the “wonder material” for flexible electronics and next-gen sensors.

STRATASYS

The Stratasys Hub in Barcelona refers to the company’s regional headquarters and innovation space located within the DFactory Barcelona ecosystem.

Stratasys, a global leader in polymer 3D printing, established this physical presence to serve as a center for additive manufacturing excellence in Southern Europe.

Key Activities:

Exhibition & Testing: The facility allows local industries to see cutting-edge 3D printing technologies (FDM, PolyJet, SAF, etc.) in action and validate prototypes before full-scale production.
Global AM Hubs Summit: As a key resident of DFactory, Stratasys played a leading role in the Global AM Hubs Summit 2025, an event that brought together over 20 additive manufacturing hubs from across Europe to discuss the future of advanced manufacturing.
Innovation Ecosystem: By being part of DFactory, Stratasys creates synergies with other tech leaders (like HP and Siemens) to integrate 3D printing with robotics, AI, and IoT.
Digital Customer Hub: online platform for clients to manage printers and licenses.

Barcelona Health Hub

Barcelona Health Hub (BHH) is a global reference center for digital health innovation, headquartered in one of Barcelona’s most iconic architectural landmarks. Founded in 2018, it functions as a non-profit association that accelerates the digital transformation of the healthcare sector by connecting startups, health institutions, and corporations.

BHH acts as a bridge between more than 500 members:

Startups: Over 325 emerging companies in fields like telemedicine, AI diagnostics, and wearables.
Corporate Partners: Global leaders such as Siemens Healthineers, HP, Bayer, Grifols, Novo Nordisk, and Vodafone.
Health Institutions: Collaborates with major hospitals like Hospital de la Santa Creu i Sant Pau and Vall d’Hebron to validate and implement new technologies.
Investors: Includes specialized funds such as Asabys Partners and Ship2B Ventures.

Recinte Torribera

Recinte Torribera is a large, multi-use complex located just north of Barcelona. Originally a medieval farmhouse (masia) rebuilt in the 18^th century, it was transformed in the early 20^th century into a landmark “mental clinic” and has since evolved into a major university and research hub.

Key Areas and Functions

Torribera Food and Nutrition Campus (University of Barcelona): This is the site’s most prominent current feature. It is a specialized campus entirely dedicated to food sciences, nutrition, and gastronomy. It houses research labs, the UB-Bullipèdia Unit (a collaboration with chef Ferran Adrià), and various bachelor’s and master’s programs.
Architectural Heritage: The complex is an exceptional example of Novecentista architecture. It was designed by renowned architects Rafael Masó and Josep Maria Pericas, featuring symmetric pavilions, gardens, and a distinctive neo-Gothic church with a black tile pinnacle.
Healthcare and Research: The site still maintains a healthcare role as home to the Centre Dr. Emili Mira, a psychiatric and mental health facility managed by Parc de Salut Mar.
Nature and Sports: Bordering the Serralada de Marina Natural Park, the enclosure offers green spaces for walking and relaxation. It also includes the Torribera Sports Complex, which features swimming pools, tennis courts, and archery facilities.

Pier01 BarcelonaTech

Pier01 is the flagship international technology hub of Tech Barcelona, located in the historic Palau de Mar building in the Barceloneta district. Originally a 19th-century port warehouse, it was transformed into a 11,000 m² innovation campus that Forbes once recognized as one of the top five hubs in the world.

Tech Barcelona is an independent private non-profit association that works to reinforce Barcelona as a model of the international digital and technological ecosystem.

Key Features & Community

Startup Ecosystem: It houses over 100 companies and 1,000+ professionals, ranging from early-stage startups and venture builders to large corporate innovation labs.
Major Residents: Notable entities include The Collider (Mobile World Capital Barcelona’s venture builder) and various incubators.
Facilities: The building features a large coworking area, showrooms, conference rooms, and a famous rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the Port Vell.