BeCytes Biotechnologies, a spin-off from the University of Barcelona (UB) founded in 2015, specializes in the development of in vitro models for preclinical research, with a particular focus on liver and lung models. The company is celebrating its tenth anniversary at a time of significant growth, marked by the recent expansion of its laboratories at the Barcelona Science Park and its consolidation as a European leader in the development and distribution of human in vitro cell models.

In recent years, research using in vitro models has gained relevance thanks to its ability to faithfully reproduce the behavior of treatments. “We are currently creating new models, especially 3D liver and lung models, that facilitate drug development and accelerate their arrival on the market,” explains Estephan Arredondo, co-founder and CTO of BeCytes, during an interview conducted at the latest Coffee Connection organized by the Barcelona Science Park community.

Since its beginnings, the BeCytes team has accompanied the growth of the biotechnology sector in Catalonia, establishing Barcelona as an ideal environment for the company’s development. “More and more companies are using our models, and greater local synergies are being generated, including with other members of the Park. Previously, we sent our models to Switzerland, the United States, or Japan, but now this niche is much closer,” Arredondo adds.