€500 million investment for Girona's new scientific hub to cure the pandemics of the future.

Aiguaviva (Gironès)The biotechnology pharmaceutical company Hipra officially opened its new campus in Aiguaviva (Gironès) this Thursday, which aims to become one of the main hubs in animal and human health research and development in Europe. The complex has an investment of €500 million and occupies a total area of 114,000 m2, of which only 28,000 m2 have been occupied so far, the first phase. The institutional event was attended by the Minister of Industry, Jordi Hereu, and the President of the Generalitat (Catalan Government), Salvador Illa.

"We are investing decisively to lead the development of innovative biotechnology solutions in human and animal health. We have the technological capacity and a fully integrated value chain, allowing us to act with agility and autonomy, a key aspect in strengthening healthcare resilience in Europe," emphasized David Nogareda, President and CEO.

Currently, Hipra is the fifth largest company in the world in veterinary vaccines and, since 2020, following the pandemic, it decided to take the step into human health and was responsible for developing and producing the only Covid-19 vaccine in EuropeRecently, the firm, deeply concerned with prevention and response to future health alerts, is also leading an EU project to develop vaccines in less than 100 days for emergency situations, as well as research into emerging viruses such as West Nile.

Cultures, bioreactors, antigens and recombinant proteins

The campus features a biosafety-controlled bacterial culture facility, fermenters, bioreactors, centrifuges, and filtration systems for producing antigens and recombinant proteins. It also has cell culture facilities to complete the antigen manufacturing cycle with recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies, specifically for human health.

"The pandemic was a challenge, and since then, Hipra has made the leap into human health and committed to global health. With a portfolio of 108 vaccines, 35 ongoing projects, and a team of experts in more than 300 pathogens that affect people and animals, the company is positioned as a key ally for the R&D autonomy of the human health division.

A campus of "global impact"

After visiting the facilities, the President of the Generalitat (Catalan Government), Salvador Illa, who has been close to Hipra's management team since his time as Minister of Health, said: "Launching this campus certifies the success of a business project with ambition and vision. Health and science are the public policies that most unite our global society."

Jordi Hereu, for his part, added: "It's a very important milestone. Europe needs many companies like Hipra if it wants to play a relevant role in a changing world. If they sell new pandemics, they won't catch us off guard."

The campus is an extension of Hipra's current headquarters, located in Amer, and is strategically located very close to Girona-Costa Brava Airport and the AP-7 motorway. Currently, it employs 400 professionals, but the project is expected to reach 1,000 jobs once the project is completed. These positions will be added to the company's nearly 3,000 employees, spread throughout Girona and in more than 40 subsidiaries worldwide.