Jordi Hereu highlights Spain's leadership in the development of protein-based vaccines

The Minister for Industry and Tourism, Jordi Hereu, at the inauguration of the Hipra Campus

The Minister for Industry expressed this during the inauguration of the Hipra Campus, held today at the facilities of this pharmaceutical company, in an event in which he was accompanied by the President of the Generalitat de Catalunya, Salvador Illa. Specifically, the selected laboratories are Hipra, CZ Vaccines and Laboratorio Reig Jofre.

For the minister, this European recognition is proof that Spain has a solid and competitive industrial ecosystem that offers ample opportunities for investment in strategic sectors, including pharmaceuticals.

The government supports the pharmaceutical sector with specific measures, such as the Cutting-edge Health PERTE. The Ministry of Industry and Tourism announced grants under this programme for 2022 and 2023, awarding almost 28 million euros. Catalan companies received 35% of the aid.

Hereu also recalled that Spain is leading the Reserve of Industrial Capacities (RECAPI) project together with Portugal, Finland and Romania and in coordination with the European Commission's Directorates-General for Structural Reform Support and Internal Market, Industry, Entrepreneurship and SMEs. The idea is that this reserve will be launched later this year and the pharmaceutical sector will be closely involved in this trial.

The minister concluded by encouraging laboratories to apply for the new PROFARMA Plan, for which the deadline for applications is 15 October.

It is a programme that prioritises R&D activities, manufacturing and sustainability principles in Spanish-based centres. It covers strategic, antimicrobial, biotech and advanced therapy medicines and medicines with less environmental impact.

Non official translation