Por Redaccion 
La investment in R&D activities in the biotechnology area reached 259.13 million euros during 2023 in Andalusia, representing an increase of 4.82% compared to the previous year and a rise of 39.83% from 2018. This positive trend has allowed Andalusia to remain the third territory that invests the most funds in this field, accounting for 9.43% of the national total, behind Catalonia and Madrid. These data are included in the ‘Report on Biotechnological R&D Activities in Andalusia in 2023’ prepared by the Agency for Scientific and University Quality of Andalusia (ACCUA), attached to the Ministry of University, Research, and Innovation, based on data published by the National Statistics Institute (INE). The report indicates that this amount represents 11.34% of the funds allocated by Andalusia to R&D during that period.
In terms of sector analysis, Andalusian universities, research centers, and hospitals continue to be the driving forces behind this type of R&D, accumulating an investment effort of 166.63 million, experiencing a 10.08% increase. On the other hand, the business segment allocated 92.50 million euros to biotechnological R&D activities, resulting in a 3.48% decrease compared to the 2022 exercise.
The report also focuses on the human resources employed in these initiatives, both in the public and private sectors. In 2023, the personnel dedicated to these activities recorded a 25.97% growth, reaching 4,411 professionals (full-time equivalent personnel). This workforce accounts for 12.32% of the national total, positioning Andalusia in third place. Compared to 2018, the increase is 48.40%.
This nearly 26% increase is largely supported by the evolution of the researcher profile, whose presence in biotechnology R&D initiatives has increased by 44.46%, totaling 2,832 individuals. Additionally, the technical and auxiliary profile has also experienced a 2.45% increase, expanding the workforce to 1,579 people.
Of the 4,411 identified professionals, 58.20% are researchers, and the remaining 41.80% fall into the technical and auxiliary category. In terms of sectors, the report reveals a 42.56% growth of this collective compared to 2022 within higher education, research centers, and Andalusian hospitals, sectors that concentrated 3,146 individuals.
Regarding gender, in the biotechnological R&D sector, parity is complete, both in the researcher profiles and in the technical and auxiliary categories, where the proportion of women even surpasses that of men. In the former case, the representation level for female personnel is 51.45%, while for male personnel it is 48.55%. In the technical and auxiliary category, men account for 43.88% and women for 56.12%.
Strategic Sector for Andalusia
The biotechnology sector plays a strategic role in the community, as it directly influences key productive areas such as agribusiness and medicine.
The Ministry of University has allocated 2.8 million euros in this year’s budget to promote R&D and knowledge transfer in the field of biomedicine and biotechnology applied to health. This amount will be used to finance the activity and operation of various public centers, foundations, and institutes dedicated to this subject in Andalusia. This measure aims to provide them with resources for stability and consolidation, and to support their research lines in areas as relevant to medical progress and health as oncology, regenerative medicine, biomedicine, nanotechnology, and innovative drugs.
Among them, the Andalusian Center for Molecular Biology and Regenerative Medicine (CABIMER) stands out, with a budget of 484,534 euros for its work, the Andalusian Center for Developmental Biology (CABD) with 410,000 euros, and the Maimonides Institute of Biomedical Research in Córdoba (IMIBIC) with 300,000 euros. The same amount will also be allocated to the Genomics and Oncological Research Center in Granada (GENYO), the Foundation for Research in Biomedicine and Health in Málaga (FIMABIS), and the Foundation for Health Research Management in Seville (FISEVI). The Ministry of University will also transfer 272,000 euros to the Medina Foundation, while the Biomedicine Institute in Seville (IBIS) will receive 40,000 euros for outreach activities.
Likewise, an amount of 350,000 euros has been allocated to the National Accelerator Center (CNA), while the creation of the Andalusian Center for Research on Zoonoses and Surveillance of Emerging Diseases is in its final stages, with headquarters in Córdoba. A budget of 20,000 euros has been set aside for operating expenses this year.
In addition to this funding, Andalusia is implementing the Complementary Plan for Biotechnology Research applied to health through the regional government and the Ministry of Science, Innovation, and Universities, with the support of European recovery funds. The 1.44 million euros in grants included in this Plan have been awarded to five public research entities and institutes in Andalusia to finance eight projects in the field of health biotechnology, enabling the development of diagnostic tools and advanced therapies in personalized medicine.