The AstraZeneca Global Hub in Barcelona has already opened its new headquarters in the Estel building in the Catalan capital. It is now embarking on a new growth phase in which it aims to become a driver of biomedical, digital and commercial innovation in Europe. To promote this objective, the company has planned an investment of €1.3 billion until 2027, which will almost equal the annual investment in R&D by the entire pharmaceutical industry in Spain, according to data from Farmaindustria.

Since it began operating in 2023, the centre has been developing an innovation model that combines biomedical research with data science, technology and commercial excellence, as well as integrating digital and strategic capabilities that go beyond traditional research. The hub collaborates with national bodies in the health, science and technology fields with which it has more than fifty active agreements, and it has also made a name for itself internationally.

Job creation
In its first two years of operation, the AstraZeneca Global Hub in Barcelona has generated nearly 1,600 jobs and created a diverse workforce in which 27% of the professionals are foreign and 58% are women, the latter also holding 50% of management positions. There is also a significant group of Spaniards who, attracted by this centre, have returned after pursuing their careers abroad.

The hub is currently promoting 387 R&D projects and more than 190 clinical trials. These studies focus on areas that pose major challenges to public health, such as cancer, which was the leading cause of death in Spain in 2024. 60% of ongoing clinical trials are in fact dedicated to oncology, 13% to cardiovascular disease and 10% to respiratory disease.

Integration of science and technology
Digitalisation plays a major role in the hub's work. More than 35 projects incorporate artificial intelligence and advanced data science systems. In addition, a team of digital health experts supports clinical development through actions such as patient recruitment, remote monitoring, and data analysis. Through this integration of science and technology, the company aims to accelerate the development of new therapies and contribute to the global ambition of launching 20 new medicines by 2030.

The new headquarters of the AstraZeneca Global Hub in Barcelona occupies nine floors of the historic Estel building, with a total of 30,000 square metres. For the company's president in Spain, Rick R. Suárez, who describes Spain as ‘a powerhouse in clinical research’, this is "a long-term commitment and a statement of confidence in Spain and its talent. From here, we will accelerate biomedical innovation supported by technology and artificial intelligence to improve the lives of millions of patients, and with an investment of €1.3 billion until 2027, something which reaffirms our commitment to the scientific and economic development of the country."

^{Photo: AstraZeneca}