The Spanish biotechnology industry is an emerging industry in which business creation has grown quite significantly in recent years. In 2009 there are 1.095 companies involved in biotech activities (+16,2%) and 399 strictly biotech (+30,8%). There is a strong spin-out culture, every year public institutions create between 10 and 12 new companies.
Directly and indirectly, biotech accounted for 0.8% of Spain’s GDP in 2007. Forecasts put this figure at 1.6% of GDP in 2012.

• International cooperation. In 2010, 143 partnerships were formed. Of those that set up partnerships with Spanish biotech companies, other European countries and the USA account for 18% and 6%, respectively.
• Spain is the leader in agro-biotech in the OECD. Spain is the top country with 0.7% of cultivatable land used for GMO (genetically modified organisms. Spain is the top country in Europe having cultivated 80% of the European GMO (genetically modified organisms). (Bt-Corn)
• Cost-effective clinical testing. On average the cost per patient of clinical testing in Spain is 30% less than other markets such as the USA. There are currently about 3000 trials underway at Spanish hospitals. This means Spain is 5th in clinical testing in the EU27.
• An established pharmaceutical industry in Spain. In 2010 there were about 450 pharmaceutical companies and account for 20.3% of all private R+D spending in Spain.

Why Spain?

• Solid Basic Science: Spain is 9th world scientific power and 5th by scientific production in the EU15.
• Integrated Healthcare System: Spain has an extensive network of 800 hospitals, both public and private, backed by leading-edge research centres. The system is ideal for translational medicine and discovering new drugs and advanced therapies.
• Emerging Biotech Industry: biotech companies are growing faster here than in other countries. During 2000-2008 the number of biotech companies rose 239%.
• Strong Government Support: the Spanish government offers low-interest credits and incentives during the start-up and growth phases of life science companies.
• Excellent infrastructure for innovation: exponential growth of science and technology parks (nearly 80), research centres and institutes of technology. Spain’s infrastructure also incorporates the latest technology for life science projects.
• Highly qualified workforce: in some areas of Spain the percentage of workers with post-graduate studies is higher than the European average. There is a surplus of talent for competitive and innovative projects.
• Favourable cost-benefit ratio of human capital: the cost per hour is less than average for EU25. Salaries are lower but the attraction of working on scientific or biotech projects is high because there are few innovative jobs.the cost per hour is less than average for EU25. Salaries are lower but the attraction of working on scientific or biotech projects is high because there are few innovative jobs.

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