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 16.09.2026

Maria Terrades highlights the role of PCB-UB as a key research infrastructure in Catalonia before the Parliament

Maria Terrades, Director of the University of Barcelona Science Park (PCB-UB), appeared last tuesday before the Research and Universities Committee of the Parliament of Catalonia during a regular session dedicated to analysing the current state of research activity and the role of PCB-UB in promoting the life sciences and healthcare sector in Catalonia.

During her presentation, Terrades highlighted the strength of Catalonia’s healthcare sector, which is supported by a unique ecosystem that connects publicly driven basic research with the applied research and innovation developed by the private sector. The director also reviewed the evolution of innovation, entrepreneurship and Catalan talent in the field of life sciences and healthcare, a sector that already accounts for 7.6% of Catalonia’s GDP and includes nearly one hundred active research institutions and more than 1,500 companies, which generated combined revenues of €48.691 billion in 2025, according to data from the latest BioRegion Report prepared by Biocat.

Within this ecosystem, science and technology parks play a key role as drivers of support for and acceleration of innovative ideas. Terrades highlighted the public-private collaboration model that characterises PCB-UB, where startups, spin-offs and public research groups coexist alongside the R&D teams of multinational pharmaceutical companies that choose this environment to be part of Catalonia’s scientific forefront.

As an example of knowledge transfer that translates into innovative companies with international reach, the director highlighted success stories that have emerged from this ecosystem, such as SpliceBio and Ona Therapeutics, two Catalan biotechnology companies that exemplify the country’s ability to generate globally leading spin-offs.

The session was also attended by Vice-Rector for Research Jordi García Fernández, representing the University of Barcelona (UB). The director of the Science Park presented the most significant projects led by UB, which will provide a decisive boost to research in Catalonia. Among these projects is the future Clínic-UB Health Campus, which will be developed under the umbrella of the Diagonal Health Axis (Eix Diagonal Salut) project and will become one of the major transformative initiatives for both the city and the country. The new campus will establish itself as one of the leading scientific and healthcare hubs of the coming years by integrating all elements of the health value chain through the convergence of faculties, research centres and university hospitals.

Vice-Rector for research Jordi García and PCB-UB director Maria Terrades in front of the Parliament of Catalonia. Image / PCB-UB

Secondly, the MIES-UB project will strengthen research and attract top talent in strategic areas for UB, such as mathematics, computer science, economics and health. The project will result in a new building in the area surrounding the Science Park, which will host the headquarters of the Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), the Fraunhofer Institute, and several university research groups.