Spain’s biotechnology sector received a significant boost this week with the awarding of the ‘Bien Hecho en España’ (Well Made in Spain) prize to Hipra, a leading animal and human health company. The award, presented by King Felipe VI at a ceremony in Bilbao on , recognizes Hipra’s contribution to Spain’s strategic autonomy in the critical field of biotechnology.
The ‘Bien Hecho en España’ award, granted by the Ministry of Industry, acknowledges Hipra’s commitment to industrial leadership, scientific innovation, and in-house production capabilities. This recognition underscores the growing importance of domestic manufacturing and research in ensuring a stable and resilient healthcare supply chain, particularly in the wake of recent global health crises.
Hipra’s impact extends beyond national borders, playing a key role in strengthening European health capacity through a “One Health” approach. This framework recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health – a concept gaining increasing traction in public health circles. The company’s involvement in the EU FAB project exemplifies this commitment. EU FAB aims to guarantee flexible production capacity to respond effectively to public health emergencies.
The company’s rapid response to the COVID-19 pandemic served as a powerful demonstration of its capabilities. Hipra successfully developed and manufactured the first Spanish COVID-19 vaccine, entirely within Spain and Europe. This achievement marked a pivotal moment, reducing Europe’s reliance on external sources for vaccine production after decades of limited domestic capacity. As David Nogareda, President of Hipra, stated, the award “constata que la industria importa, y mucho” – that industry matters, and a great deal.
Hipra’s expertise initially stems from a strong foundation in animal health. The company currently ranks fifth worldwide in animal health vaccines, working with over 300 pathogens and having registered more than 20 veterinary vaccines with the European Medicines Agency (EMA) in the last decade. This established experience in veterinary medicine provided a crucial springboard for its expansion into human health.
Looking ahead, Hipra is actively involved in initiatives designed to accelerate future pandemic preparedness. The company leads the SPEEDCELL project, a program funded by EU4Health, with the ambitious goal of reducing the time required to develop new vaccines during health crises to just 100 days. This project focuses on enhancing Europe’s agility and technological readiness, a critical step in mitigating the impact of future outbreaks.
The Spanish government has further demonstrated its commitment to bolstering national biotechnological capabilities. Minister of Health, Mónica García, recently announced that Hipra’s COVID-19 vaccine, adapted to the LP.8.1 variant, will be included in the Spanish vaccination campaign for . This decision solidifies a decisive step towards national biotechnological autonomy, ensuring access to domestically produced vaccines for the Spanish population.
This commitment to strengthening domestic pharmaceutical production is also reflected in Spain’s leadership within the European Union. Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, highlighted that three Spanish companies – Hipra, CZ Vaccines, and Laboratorio Reig Jofre – were selected by the EU to manufacture protein-based vaccines in the event of a new public health emergency. This recognition underscores the strength and competitiveness of Spain’s industrial ecosystem in the pharmaceutical sector.
The government is actively supporting the pharmaceutical sector through initiatives like the Cutting-edge Health PERTE (Strategic Project for Economic Recovery and Transformation). Almost €28 million in grants have been awarded under this program, with Catalan companies receiving 35% of the funding. Spain is leading the Reserve of Industrial Capacities (RECAPI) project, in collaboration with Portugal, Finland, and Romania, to establish a coordinated European reserve of manufacturing capacity for essential medicines and vaccines.
Hipra’s recent success is also reflected in its financial performance. The company has secured €32.7 million in funding, which will be used to further its research and development efforts and create 200 new jobs, contributing to economic growth and innovation within the Catalonia region. The company’s trajectory positions it as a key player in the global vaccine landscape, and a symbol of Spain’s growing prominence in the biotechnology industry.
The awarding of the ‘Bien Hecho en España’ prize to Hipra is not merely a recognition of past achievements, but a signal of Spain’s ambition to become a leading force in the development and manufacturing of innovative healthcare solutions. The company’s commitment to scientific innovation, coupled with strategic government support, promises to strengthen both national and European health security for years to come.
