The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities grants 127 million euros to Spanish companies to promote research in the field of health and pharmaceutical production.

The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities, through the Centre for Technological Development and Innovation (CDTI), has published the final resolution for the financing of Spanish companies participating in the Major Project of Common European Interest in Health (IPCEI) Med4Cure, having approved the award of grants for a total amount of 126.9 million euros.

This action is part of Spain’ s commitment to strengthening the resilience of the health sector, promoting sustainable innovation and placing national companies at the forefront of European pharmaceutical research and production.

IPCEI Med4Cure

The Major Project of Common European Interest in Health, called IPCEI Med4Cure, will bring innovations against diseases for which there are no effective means of prevention or treatment, while increasing the European Union’ s prevention of emerging health threats.

The projects focus on research, innovation and industrial deployment of medical devices, as well as innovative production processes in the pharmaceutical sector.

It is the first initiative of its kind in the health field, endorsed by the European Commission in May 2024, with the aim of addressing strategic challenges: from the development of advanced therapies for rare diseases and antimicrobial resistance to the adoption of more sustainable and efficient production processes.

Spain joined five Member States – Belgium, Slovakia, France, Hungary, Italy – in notifying the participation of 13 companies in 14 projects, of which one is a direct participant (Sylentis) and five are partners: Laboratorios Farmacéuticos Rovi, S.A., Laboratorios Reig Jofre, S.A., Medichem, S.A., Minoryx Therapeutics, S.L. and Oryzon Genomics, S.A.

A boost to R&D&I and industrial deployment

The direct aid line published today finances the R&D activities for the six participants and in addition the first industrial deployment for the direct participant (Sylentis).

Specifically:

• SYLENTIS, S.A.: 21,107,943 euros for the refurbishment and GMP certification of its oligonucleotide plant in Getafe, incorporating BREEAM standards and reducing the Process Mass Intensity (PMI), while advancing in the preclinical phase of new therapeutic candidates.
• LABORATORIOS FARMACÉUTICOS ROVI, S.A.: 36,341,035.65 euros for the LAISOLID project, focusing on aseptic filling technology for polymeric matrices for drug- and biological product-eluting implants.
• LABORATORIOS REIG JOFRE, S.A.: 13,172,313.89 euros for the EMINTECH project, which integrates gene therapies, CAR-T and bacteriophages against antimicrobial resistance and rare diseases.
• MEDICHEM, S.A.: 16,213,766.03 euros for FDF4EU, which optimises manufacturing processes for APIs and specialised formulations in areas such as cystic fibrosis.
• MINORYX THERAPEUTICS, S.L.: 26,876,530.85 euros for LERI4CNS, which will clinically validate leriglitazone for leukodystrophies and other rare CNS diseases.
• ORYZON GENOMICS, S.A.: 13,263,794.06 euros for VANDAM, aimed at personalised epigenetic therapies in neurodevelopmental disorders and rare tumours.

In total, the eligible budget at national level amounts to 224,636,453 euros, of which the CDTI Innovation covers 56% through direct subsidies.

Impact and prospects

This call, financed with funds from the Recovery and Resilience Mechanism (RRM) and aligned with the PERTE Vanguard Health, reflects the strategic vocation of the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities to support and boost the Spanish biopharmaceutical ecosystem.

Through CDTI Innovation, it is achieved:

1. Promote the internationalisation of Spanish companies, facilitating their position in high-impact transnational consortia.
2. Consolidate industrial capabilities in critical technologies such as oligonucleotides, cell therapies, green production processes and bioinformatics.
3. Generate qualified employment and attract private investment, reinforcing Spain’s competitiveness in the European Research Area.
4. Disseminate knowledge and results – publications, RAND licences, conferences – ensuring the generation of positive externalities (spillovers) across the EU.
5. Reinforce the branding of CDTI Innovation as a Spanish innovation agency, recognised for its agile management capacity, technical expertise and European vocation.

The implementation of these projects represents a qualitative leap in the Spanish and European pharmaceutical value chain, and the creation of an estimated 6,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout the European Union. In addition, the return of knowledge is expected to stimulate future research, new companies and innovation clusters, especially in the Community of Madrid and other regions with high R&D density.

The Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities and the CDTI Innovation are committed to promoting and accompanying companies during the implementation, certification and disbursement of grants, ensuring compliance with the objectives and milestones set by the European Commission for the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan. With this action, Spain reinforces its leadership position in the IPCEI Med4Cure, contributing to health sovereignty, the green transition of the pharmaceutical industry and the well-being of citizens.