Biocat Report 2015: analysis of the global trends of the sector, the state of medical technologies and Digital Health in Catalonia

Biocat, the entity which coordinates and promotes the bioscience sector in Catalonia, has once more presented the edition of its annual report, this time the fourth. The report presents and updates the indicators and main data of the sector of life sciences and health in Catalonia, in order to offer a holistic view of the Catalan health system.

The Catalonia BioRegion currently includes 734 companies (biotechnological, pharmaceutical, medical technologies, engineering companies, etc.) and 89 research entities (research centres, University hospitals, science parks, etc.).

Amongst other things, the report analyses the global trends of the sector, the state of medical technologies and Digital Health.

• Global trends: This analyses the panorama and business context of our country and the trends and challenges faced by the health sector. 
• The tecmed revolution: the position of the health technology industry in Europe and Spain is analysed, highlighting two trends for industry, 3-D printing and personalised medicine.
• Digital Health: this consists of applying digital and genetic technologies to health and medical assistance, and is formed by different fields such as the Human Genome project, the Electronic Medical Record (HCE), the Health Information Technologies (Health IT), big data, personalised medicine and the social networks. The future lines and the role that Digital Health has to play in the sector are put on display. 

The report stresses the need to continue working to achieve a veritable health ecosystem aligned in wishes and strategic actions, which allows the value of the health sector to be increased, as well as international competitiveness to be gained in the health sector.