Biotechnology is entering a decisive industrial phase: the rise of advanced therapies, such as CAR-T and other cellular and gene therapies, along with the expansion of highly complex biologic drugs, is accelerating demand for specialized production capacity. In this context, manufacturing under strict standards, scalability, traceability, and quality control have become critical factors to sustain sector growth—particularly when the differentiating value lies not only in scientific innovation but also in the actual ability to deliver these therapies safely and at scale, as highlighted in Cardinal Health’s report on advanced therapies.
Within this industrial framework, the Madrid Region has decided to advance the Regional Center for the Production of Advanced Therapies (CRETA), an infrastructure dedicated to the manufacturing of next-generation medicines based on gene therapy, cell therapy, and tissue engineering. The initiative is designed to strengthen the production capabilities of the public healthcare system in a field characterized by high technological and regulatory complexity.
This move comes at a time when the availability of specialized infrastructure is a key determinant for the development and manufacturing of advanced therapies. According to the specialized outlet Diariofarma, CRETA is intended to increase and centralize production capacity for these medicines, as well as support research groups and healthcare system centers involved in their development and manufacturing.
From a market perspective, the contract development and manufacturing services (CDMO) segment for advanced therapies is experiencing rapid growth. According to BioSpace data, this segment was valued at $7.45 billion in 2024 and could surpass $42 billion by 2034, with a compound annual growth rate close to 19%, reflecting the growing importance of specialized manufacturing within the biopharmaceutical ecosystem.
Globally, the United States and Canada account for a significant share of economic activity related to advanced therapies. North America represented 44.5% of global market revenue in 2022, according to Grand View Research, confirming its central role in the development, production, and commercialization of these treatments.
Within the U.S., the Boston–Cambridge ecosystem leads the country in NIH funding and laboratory space (62.1 million square feet), as noted by the respected publication GEN. The region ranked second in venture capital, third in patents, and fifth in employment, with 116,937 jobs.
According to the 2025 MassBio Industry Snapshot, the ten largest companies in this Massachusetts ecosystem employ over 30,000 people. However, this leadership is developing in an increasingly demanding environment. As the MassBio report indicates, Massachusetts’ biopharmaceutical sector experienced a contraction during the first half of 2025, associated with employment reductions, decreased venture capital investment, and increased international competition. Adding to this is uncertainty from current U.S. trade policy, including the potential imposition of tariffs of up to 100% on certain imported branded medicines if not manufactured in the U.S. This environment is driving companies to consider geographic diversification and expansion into more stable markets, including the European Union.
In this context, Madrid consolidates its position as a top European destination for biopharmaceutical investment. Notably, the ten largest Boston-based companies mentioned above maintain offices in Madrid, strengthening the connection between one of the United States’ primary biotech hubs and the Spanish capital’s scientific and industrial ecosystem. Coupled with the presence of more than 400 biopharmaceutical companies, 39 pharmaceutical manufacturing plants, and a regulatory and operational environment fully integrated into the European Single Market, Madrid stands out as a competitive location for companies seeking industrial capacity, skilled talent, and stability for their expansion plans in advanced therapies and high-value biopharmaceuticals.