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Inauguration of the new Fraunhofer CAT facilities at the Barcelona Science Park. Photo / UB
 10.10.2025

The Fraunhofer CAT Center is being established at the Barcelona Science Park to promote the development of advanced diagnostics and therapies

The President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, the Catalan Minister of Research and Universities, Núria Montserrat, the Spanish Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant, and the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, signed this morning, together with the President of the German institution Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft, Holger Hanselka, the institutional protocol for the launch of the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Theragnostics (Fraunhofer CAT). The creation of this new branch, located at the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) of the University of Barcelona (UB) and in collaboration with the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), reaffirms the institutional and governmental commitment to promoting biomedical research and health innovation in Barcelona.

Once the signing ceremony at the Palau de la Generalitat concluded, representatives of the Fraunhofer Institute visited the new laboratories installed at the Barcelona Science Park. The visit was also attended by Councillor Núria Montserrat, Secretary General for Innovation Teresa Riesgo, the Director General for Knowledge Transfer and Society, Javier Selva, and Economic Promotion Manager Miquel Rodríguez, accompanied by the Director of the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), Josep Samitier, the Rector of the University of Barcelona (UB), Joan Guàrdia, and the Director of the Science Park, Maria Terrades.

The institutions involved have agreed on a total funding of €26.5 million until 2031. The Catalan Government will contribute €14 million, the Barcelona City Council €8 million, and the Ministry of Science €4.5 million to support the new Fraunhofer CAT Center. The center, which also collaborates with the Institute of Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) located at the Science Park, will receive payments distributed over the coming years. According to the City Council’s projections, the launch of the center will create around 100 jobs and generate a return of €10 in services for every euro of public investment after seven years.

It will be the first Fraunhofer branch in Spain, a European leader in applied research and in the transfer of scientific knowledge to the market. Founded in Germany, the organization’s mission is to turn scientific advances into solutions and products with social and economic impact. Currently, it has centers in sixteen countries across Europe, Asia, and America, specializing in various areas of research and innovation.

Round table held during the inauguration event at the Barcelona Science Park. Photo / UB

Round table held during the inauguration event at the Barcelona Science Park. Photo / UB

A strategic alliance for European innovation

The inauguration of Fraunhofer CAT at the Science Park represents a key step in promoting bioengineering applied to health, with a focus on research in theragnostics, which combines diagnosis and precision therapy. Its goal is to develop new tools for diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy selection, accelerating the transfer of knowledge to clinical practice and the biotechnology industry.

The project arises from the established collaboration between the Fraunhofer Institute for Biomedical Engineering (IBMT) and IBEC, two leading research institutions. The new centre will combine IBEC’s expertise with the Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft’s track record, merging IBEC’s strengths in bioengineering, biosensors, and biomimetic systems for biomedical applications with Fraunhofer IBMT’s expertise in stem cell process technology and cell-based microsystems. Its activities will focus on the development of advanced technologies such as biomodels, organs-on-chip, and regenerative therapies, connecting the Catalan research ecosystem with international networks.

The researchers’ goal will be to develop innovative technologies that support diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy selection, facilitating precision medicine. Fraunhofer CAT will act as a bridge between research laboratories, clinics, and the biotechnology industry, while also attracting international scientific and technological talent and promoting the internationalization of the Catalan biomedical sector in connection with German and European innovation ecosystems.

» Link to the news: IBEC website [+]