From 8 to 10 July, the UAB will be hosting a new edition of the Annual Biotechnology Conference (BAC), an event establishing itself as a key meeting point for students, researchers, and companies in the biotechnology sector, from both national and international spheres. At the conferences official opening, UAB Rector Javier Lafuente stated that "biotechnology research exemplifies science's capacity to generate advances with social impact".
The conference is organised by the Association of Biotechnologists of Catalonia (ASBTEC), formed by bachelor's, master's and PhD degree students from all over Catalonia, in collaboration with the Spanish Federation of Biotechnologists (FEBiotec). The initiative stands out for its voluntary nature and the active role played by students in connecting science, business, and society.
In his speech, Rector Lafuente emphasised that "biotechnology has made a pivotal contribution to the fields of biomedicine and the environment, as well as to the agri-food and energy sectors." He also congratulated the organising team, describing the event as "an ideal venue for presenting the latest results and new lines of research," as well as "for fostering collaboration between institutions and with innovative companies." The rector also took the opportunity to highlight the UAB's status as a "pioneering" institution in this field, noting that it was the first university in Spain to establish a bachelor's degree programme in biotechnology and a faculty of biosciences, and that it is home to "leading research centres" such as the Institute for Biotechnology and Biomedicine, the Centre for Animal Biotechnology and Gene Therapy, and the Melissa Pilot Plant Laboratory.
Eva Ortega, Secretary General for Research at the Spanish Ministry for Science, Innovation and Universities, and Teresa Sanchis, Director General for Research at the Government of Catalonia, also spoke at the opening ceremony. Ortega praised Barcelona's research and innovation landscape, which leads the way thanks to universities and research infrastructures such as the UAB itself—the venue for the conference. She described the key role of biotechnology within the Spanish R&D sector and highlighted the importance of creating jobs for young researchers in this field. Sanchis agreed with Ortega that the biotechnology sector is "one of the country's most powerful scientific and economic engines" and addressed the scientists, stating that "Catalonia has a very powerful innovation ecosystem thanks to the leadership of people like you".
Alba Tomás, General Coordinator of BAC 2026, and Rafael Serrano, Vice President of FEBiotec, highlighted that the conference is "much more than a scientific programme", as it enables "scientists, institutions, and companies to engage in dialogue about the future of the biotechnology sector", and encouraged attendees to take the opportunity to network and exchange views. Furthermore, they expressed their satisfaction at reaching the conference's nineteenth edition, a milestone that exemplifies "the maturity of this discipline in Spain."
Connecting science, young talent and professional opportunities
BAC Barcelona 2026 brings together participants from across Spain and abroad in an environment designed to foster knowledge exchange and the creation of professional opportunities. The programme includes lectures by leading figures in science and business, round tables on current challenges in biotechnology, professional development workshops, networking spaces for students and companies, and a competitive scientific poster competition.
Prominent companies and organisations from the biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and biomedical sectors—such as Almirall, HIPRA, Bayer, AstraZeneca, Ysios Capital, Pharma X Solutions, Minoryx, SpliceBio, and Proteintech, among others—also participate in BAC Barcelona 2026. These companies play an active role through presentations, panel discussions, and spaces for interacting with attendees, thereby facilitating direct contact with the business community.
