The Madrid region offers a favorable environment for the generation of scientific and technological knowledge, supported by a strong commitment to investment in technology parks, universities, research centers, and innovative companies.
Furthermore, the President of the Madrid region, Isabel Díaz Ayuso, during her visit to the biotechnology plant of multinational Pfizer on the occasion of its 175th anniversary, emphasized that the Madrid region is a key reference for the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries, generating employment for more than 30,000 people in the region.
Solid Scientific Base
The regional government boasts leading institutions in the biomedical and biotechnology fields, such as the Biomedicine and Biotechnology Cluster and the Madrid Science Park Foundation. It also hosts prestigious biomedical research centers including the Spanish National Cancer Research Center (CNIO), the Carlos III Health Institute (ISCIII), the Severo Ochoa Molecular Biology Center, and the National Center for Biotechnology. These are joined by the Madrid Science Park Foundation, 12 additional research centers, and two science and technology parks or bio-incubators. Together, they form a network nourished by both collaboration and competition.
Commercial Activity
The region is home to approximately 400 companies in this sector, 86 of which are dedicated to the manufacturing of pharmaceutical products. This represents 24% of the national total and 26.6% of employment in the sector at the national level. Additionally, the sector in the Madrid region generates a business volume exceeding €9.2 billion, accounting for 45% of the national total. Exports of these products represent the region’s main foreign trade activity, accounting for 28.7% of the total and representing 63.3% of all sector exports in Spain, with a value of €17 billion.
Qualified Human Capital
Madrid leads job creation in Spain, providing one out of every four new jobs in the past year. Its active workforce now exceeds 3.6 million people.
The Madrid region has a highly competitive education system, with internationally renowned universities and business schools. These institutions not only ensure a steady flow of highly qualified professionals across various fields, but also attract a significant number of international talents. Likewise, vocational training (FP) in the region, structured into three educational levels, is currently expanding, offering specialized training for professional development in multiple sectors.
Innovative Healthcare Solutions
The Directorate General for Research and Teaching of the Ministry of Health promotes innovation in the healthcare sector of the Madrid region. This effort fosters the development of new products by facilitating the transfer of knowledge to companies, as well as the implementation of services that enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the regional healthcare system, contributing to improved public health. For more information, visit the following link: Services and Information.
The Madrid region has an extensive biotechnology infrastructure that supports the growth of innovative companies and qualified professionals in the healthcare field, while promoting a favorable environment for the generation and transfer of technological knowledge. Moreover, it is the Spanish region that allocates the most resources to Research and Development activities, establishing itself as a benchmark in its commitment to the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
Thanks to all these factors, the Madrid region has become an attractive destination for foreign investment. In addition, it has led economic growth in Spain over the past three decades and has an open, internationalized economy that drives global trade and investment. As part of the European Union, it offers a strategic platform for accessing the European market and emerging economies in Latin America, facilitating entry for investors interested in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.