Hand wringing over what support Europe’s biopharma sector needs to stay competitive has intensified since the European Commission unveiled its proposal for an EU Biotech Act in December 2025, and the latest contribution to the debate is a comparative analysis of how 10 countries have strengthened their biopharmaceutical ecosystems post-COVID-19.
At a time of global transition for life sciences, with China stepping up the pace of innovation and the U.S. adopting protectionist policies, the health innovation region in Catalonia, Spain, is emerging as one of the most dynamic hubs in Europe. Last year, the region, centered on Barcelona, saw growth of 8.3% over 2024, and there are now 1,650 companies, including 423 biotechs, 259 digital health specialists and 238 med techs.
At a time of global transition for life sciences, with China stepping up the pace of innovation and the U.S. adopting protectionist policies, the health innovation region in Catalonia, Spain, is emerging as one of the most dynamic hubs in Europe. Last year, the region, centered on Barcelona, saw growth of 8.3% over 2024, and there are now 1,650 companies, including 423 biotechs, 259 digital health specialists and 238 med techs.
The increasing recognition of its importance in national security, economic growth and health has seen biotech emerging as the latest frontier in geopolitical competition, with implications for companies ranging from startups to multinationals – and for global investment in the sector.
Despite heightened political tensions, both Chinese and U.S. industry officials are working to strengthen ties in the health care and biotech sector, including launching strategic initiatives to foster Sino-U.S. biotech investment and M&A deals. As one of the initiatives, representatives from Hong Kong, China and the U.S. convened at the Bio Hong Kong 2024 conference to launch a global health care M&A and financial investment alliance, along with fostering company and talent growth in Hong Kong.
Despite heightened political tensions, both Chinese and U.S. industry officials are working to strengthen ties in the health care and biotech sector, including launching strategic initiatives to foster Sino-U.S. biotech investment and M&A deals. As one of the initiatives, representatives from Hong Kong, China and the U.S. convened at the Bio Hong Kong 2024 conference to launch a global health care M&A and financial investment alliance, along with fostering company and talent growth in Hong Kong.
A long-running lobbying effort has paid off, with the announcement of two U.K. government-backed investment vehicles through which pension funds will be able to invest in early stage private life sciences companies.
China is pushing to increase biopharma investment to woo foreign investors, and the State Council laid out policy areas to further incentivize foreign companies to expand their operations in the country. Among those policies are guaranteeing equal treatment of foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, particularly in government procurement activities.
China is pushing to increase biopharma investment to woo foreign investors, and the State Council laid out policy areas to further incentivize foreign companies to expand their operations in the country. Among those policies are guaranteeing equal treatment of foreign-invested enterprises and domestic enterprises, particularly in government procurement activities.
LONDON – A new National Security Act coming into force on Jan. 4, 2022, will extend the U.K. government’s power to scrutinize and intervene in foreign acquisitions and bring a swathe of domestic life sciences companies within the ambit of national security legislation for the first time.
