BeCytes Biotechnologies opens a new laboratory in the Barcelona Science Park (PCB) with the aim of boosting its international growth. The biotechnology company focuses its activity on the management of the production of in vitro liver and lung models, used in biomedical research as an alternative to the use of animals in experimental studies. The new facilities will expand the production capacity of human primary cells for the international biomedical and pharmaceutical industry, contributing to the development of new therapeutic strategies and personalised models for research.

The launch of this new laboratory coincides with the company’s 10th anniversary, which in the last two years has exceeded €1 million in total revenues, and represents a decisive step towards its R&D activity’s opening new lines of research in other types of tissue. Led by Jordi Xapellí Mias (CEO) and Estephan Arredondo (CTO), for a decade the company has been focused on the development of cellular models in vitro that faithfully mimic the conditions of human liver and lung tissue.

“The growth of the in vitro liver model market and the confidence of researchers, especially in the pharmaceutical industry, has driven us to expand our production capabilities and resources. In addition, we have made a quantitative leap, which has forced us to increase our workforce threefold and to invest additional resources to meet this new demand,” said CEO Jordi Xapellí Mias.

Founded in 2015, the biotech company was the brainchild of a group of scientists in the field of cell therapy, such as Jordi Alberch and Josep M. Canales, from Creatio, the Production and Validation Centre for Advanced Therapies at the University of Barcelona (UB), as well as experts in organ and tissue donation and transplantation, Martí Manyalich, Eduard Xapell Sampol and Estephan Arredondo.

BeCytes makes its way to Japan, leading the European market

Recent estimates suggest that 20% of the world’s population – more than 1.5 billion people – suffer from some form of chronic liver disease, such as cancer or cirrhosis. Despite the magnitude of the problem, current treatments remain ineffective and often very expensive. According to a report by Grand View Research, the global market for liver therapies reached $19 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a rate of 5.7% annually until 2030.

In this context, BeCytes has established itself as a European leader in the development and distribution of in vitro human cellular models, with a strong focus on the global market. Currently, its international activity accounts for 98% of the company’s turnover, with a consolidated presence in Germany (32%), Switzerland (21%), the United States (14%), Japan (7%) and France (5%), among other countries.

One of the most relevant opportunities for the company was the Japanese market. In 2018, BeCytes became the first Catalan spin-off in the biotech sector to establish a scientific and commercial alliance with Japan, through an agreement with the company KAC Co., Ltd., specialising in preclinical research and biomedical analysis.

“For cultural and logistical reasons, it is very difficult to get access to human stem cells in Japan. This limits the possibility for more targeted research. With our models, we offer an alternative that is closer to biological reality, which can improve precision in drug development and reduce adverse effects in clinical phases,” said Arredondo.

The company manages an efficient global distribution network by leveraging existing supply channels of preclinical in vitro models and collaborating with established distributors, always in strict compliance with local and international legal regulations.

Participation in leading European projects in liver research

BeCytes collaborates in several high-impact European projects aimed at improving efficiency and precision in the development of new treatments for liver diseases. These projects combine advanced technology, personalised medicine and alternatives to animal testing.

One of the most prominent is UNLOOC (Unlocking the data content of Organ-on-Chips), led by German company Microfluidic ChipShop Gmbh with a budget of 68 million euros and the participation of 51 European organisations. The project develops Organ-on-Chip devices, which mimic the functioning of human organs on a microscopic scale. This technology offers a more accurate and ethical alternative to animal testing, with the potential to significantly improve drug screening and clinical prediction.

In parallel, BeCytes is leading the LIVERtera project, focused on research into liver cancer. The initiative combines in vitro models of liver tumours with computational models to accelerate the discovery of more effective therapies. The project is developed jointly with the Swiss company Doppl SA, with the support of the CDTI and the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

The company is also coordinating the Hepapools project, with the collaboration of the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC) and funded by the ACCIÓ Nuclis R+D business programme, which uses 3D bioprinting to recreate human liver tissue. This technology makes it possible to assess the toxicity of new drugs more realistically and reliably.

“Our strategy is based on the development of innovative and highly characterised cellular models that faithfully reproduce the behaviour of the human body. This allows us to assess the efficacy and safety of drugs with greater precision and clinical relevance,” said Arredondo.

These initiatives reinforce BeCytes’ position as a European benchmark in in vitro cellular models and consolidate its role as a strategic partner in the field of biomedical innovation.