Healthtech in the Community of Madrid
A key Region for companies in the Healthtech sector in Spain and in Europe,
supported by a solid scientific base, highly qualified human capital,
policy measures and an integrated healthcare system.
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Madrid, a preferred place for international Healthtech companies
Madrid´s Healthtech industry is made up of more than 1,200 companies, considering both large corporations and emerging companies, mostly in the biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, medical devices, clinical research, and health sectors. With more than 300,000 jobs, the health sector employs a significant part, 7.9%, of the Region's working population.
A large number of leading companies for the Healthtech sector are located in the Community of Madrid, driving the provision for healthcare services, such as Quirón Salud, Sanitas, HM Hospitales, Ilunion or Mapfre or with divisions specialising in industry-specific solutions such as Canon Medical, Philips Healthcare, GE Healthcare, Medtronic, Vivía Biotech or Pharmamar. Other large technology companies such as Indra, Telefónica, or VASS are leaders in innovation, development and support for industry projects.
Several clusters stand out, such as the CITT in Biomedical Technologies and Biotechnology, promoted by the Community of Madrid, MAD e-Health, promoted by the Madrid City Council, and Madrid Health Hub, a non-profit association, linking startups, corporations, hospitals, universities and investors and UPM Health Tech, a multidisciplinary commitment of the Technical University of Madrid.
Specialised incubation spaces support the growth of startup initiatives such as the Madrid Science Park (PCM), with infrastructures and incubation spaces, MaSID, which has two campuses and 15 buildings equipped with state-of-the-art laboratories, development areas and specialised services, Qube Technology Park, a bioincubator providing spaces and services to support innovation in biotechnology and health sciences or LivingCells, a bioincubator specialised in promoting advanced therapies. The healthstart programme and Innoday/Innobar health meetings of the madri+d Foundation provide services for the creation of new companies and networking opportunities.
Research, Talent and Public Action
With six public hospitals among the 250 best in the world and more than 300,000 jobs, the health sector employs a significant part, 7.9%, of the Region's working population.
The Region of Madrid stands out for its educational and research infrastructure. Among the many centres of excellence in the development of Healthtech solutions and innovations stand out the National Centre for Biotechnology (CNB), the Severo Ochoa Centre for Molecular Biology (CBMSO), and the Sols-Morreale Institute for Biomedical Research (IIBM). Madrid also hosts National Centres for Cancer (CNIO) and Cardiovascular (CNIC) Research, and the newest and ambitious National Centre for Neurotechnology (Spain Neurotech). Moreover, Madrid has a solid network of Health Research Institutes (IIS) that together with the ISCIII's ITEMAS platform of hospitals strongly supports R+D+i in Biomedicine and Health Sciences. Regional IMDEA centres such as IMDEA Food, IMDEA Nanoscience and IMDEA Networks play also a key role in this ecosystem.
Among the wide range of training offered in the field of Healthtech are the programs of the Technical University of Madrid (UPM), the Master's Degree in Innovation in Digital Health of the Complutense University or the Civis alliance, a pan-European campus of reference in areas such as Nanoscience, Advanced Materials and Life Sciences, in which the Autonoma University (UAM) participates in close cooperation with the Spanish Council for Scientific Research (CSIC).
In the Public sector, the Community of Madrid has implemented regulatory measures to facilitate the digitalization of the health sector and public-private collaboration, focusing on the integration of advanced technologies and the improvement of health services. Notable initiatives are Genesis, the largest healthcare data warehouse in Europe, consolidating more than 1,600 million records from up to 400 applications with the aim of improving medical care and facilitating research, and Madrid Talento, attracting foreign professionals in areas of high demand, including health and digital technologies.
A consolidated startup ecosystem
Madrid is home to 406 Healthtech Companies founded in recent years with activity mainly in three sub-industries: biotechnology (36%), Digital platforms (30%) and Medical Devices (18%). These companies create more than 6,900 jobs and have attracted more than €720M with a total valuation of €2b.
Atrys Health, Medlumics, Osigu, Savana, ifeel and Overture Life are some of the prominent Tech Companies in Madrid that have closed significant investment rounds in recent years.
Healthtech Startups in Madrid
Nr of Tech Companies
406 (6th of European Hubs)
Prominent Healthtech Agents in Madrid
Main Healthtech Events in Madrid
Farmaforum. Forum of the Pharmaceutical, Biopharmaceutical and Laboratory Technologies Industry
Fisioexpo. Technologies related to physiotherapy
The Healthtech industry, challenges and future
The Healthtech industry includes the set of companies, organizations, and solutions that use advanced technologies to transform healthcare, improve people's quality of life, and optimize health systems. Technological innovation and the application of disruptive technologies such as artificial intelligence, big data, robotics, biotechnology, virtual and augmented reality, and IoT in the healthcare field are the key to the Healthtech industry.
The areas of impact of this industry are diagnosis and treatment with precision tools and personalized therapies, prevention through applications and digital platforms for real-time health monitoring and management, the management of the health system itself with solutions that optimize resource management, patient flow and data-based decision-making, and remote care with solutions such as telemedicine, wearables and technologies that allow consultations and monitoring from anywhere.
The main challenges of the HealthTech industry arise from the combination of advanced technologies with traditional health systems. The main challenges are:
- Regulation and Compliance: Complying with strict medical regulations slows down innovation.
- Data Security and Privacy: Exposure to cybersecurity risks and handling of sensitive data.
- Acceptance by Professionals: Resistance to change due to lack of training or doubts about effectiveness.
- Scalability and Cost-Effectiveness: Difficulties in moving from prototypes to mass deployments.
- Clinical Efficiency Validation: Demonstrate real and scientific impact on health.
- Ethics in AI and Automation: Avoiding bias and ensuring safe decisions
- Public-private collaboration between hospitals and the technology industry is key to strengthening the competitiveness of the healthcare ecosystem and integrating innovation into the healthcare system.
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