One of the main barriers to the growth of Spanish biotech companies is their small size (>95% less than 250 employees), which prevents them from accelerating their entry into foreign markets, for example. The main cause of this small size is due to the scarcity of funding or private investment. Although a specialised national biotech venture capital ecosystem is being generated and more and more deals are being closed with foreign investors, there is still much room for improvement.
The 50% rounds are oriented towards expansion processes.
Taking into account that out of the 10% of the rounds While the type of operation is not disclosed, it is significant that 50% of them have been dedicated to expansion and growth plans. The next group is occupied by companies in their early stages (seed, startup or spinoff) accounting for 20% of the transactions. This reflects the fact that the sector is not a mature sector, with expectations of growth in the next few years. investors and that consolidation operations are rare.
The buildup operation, within the metabolomics activities carried out by the Basque company in 2010, stands out. OWl genomics that bought the Gipuzkoan company MD Renal. Since then, OWl, a company in which MD Renal has a majority holding CRBtook over the management of the new subsidiary.
Catalonia and Madrid account for 50% of the companies financed.
Of all the companies analysed in the biotechnology sector that have received rounds in recent years (a total of 107 companies), almost half of them are based in Catalonia (31 companies) and Madrid (20 companies). The next C.C.A.A. leading the ranking are the Basque Country, Andalusia and Navarre. Catalonia's leadership may be due to the traction provided by the ecosystem of pharmaceutical companies located in Barcelona.
The appearance of Navarre in the top 5 is a reflection of the influence that has been exerted by the University of Navarra and its bio-health research centres in the development of new companies in the sector.
Other related links:
List of biotech investors Spain
List of investors in biomarker biotechnology
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