Interview with Marín Orriols, CEO of Net-Pharma Hub
Net-Pharma Hub is the first hub of leading companies in Europe in services and technologies for the life sciences sector, made up of more than 50 member companies. A unique ecosystem that connects people, institutions, and organizations in the life sciences industry to generate growth by offering turnkey solutions, comprehensive services, and expert knowledge. The hub has agreements with key associations in the Life-Science field and thus reinforces an ecosystem that drives innovation and new opportunities in terms of the collaborative economy.
In just over a decade, Net-Pharma Hub has gone from being a pioneering idea to becoming a connecting node between industry, academia and institutions. What factors have been key to this growth?
The key has been a strategic vision based on public-private collaboration and the promotion of innovative projects, in addition to business, scientific and training capabilities. Net-Pharma Hub creates synergies and accelerates technology transfer thanks to its open approach and integrated services platform
The hub brings together leading companies, start-ups and academic entities. What advantages does this mixed structure offer for the development of innovative projects in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology fields?
The mixed structure makes it possible to combine business impulse with scientific rigour to create an environment rich in the generation of disruptive projects. Flexibility, access to diverse talent and sectoral networking enhance agility to respond to the challenges of the sector, from R+D to market arrival.
How is this support articulated and what differential services does Net-Pharma Hub offer to member companies?
Net-Pharma Hub offers comprehensive support with shared resources, specialized advice, access to laboratories, intellectual property management and market opening. Turnkey project management accelerates access to infrastructure and development from early stages to commercialization.
Innovation and patents are part of Net-Pharma Hub’s DNA. What kind of projects are emerging within the hub and how do you support spin-offs and start-ups to turn research into business?
The hub is generating projects in advanced therapies, bioprocesses, digitalization and sustainability. Spin-offs and start-ups are supported with resources, advice, financing and access to international markets, facilitating the transition from research to business.
You have recently announced an agreement with Barcelona Partners and the opening of an office in Barcelona. What are your objectives with this expansion and how does it fit into Net-Pharma Hub’s national and international strategy?
The expansion in Barcelona seeks to strengthen the presence in innovation hubs, facilitate access to the local ecosystem and expand the European and international collaboration network. It is part of a strategy to lead the sectoral transformation and position the hub as a cross-sectoral benchmark.
The hub also has projects in Malaga, Galicia, León and internationally. What global vision guides this growth and what role do the values of sustainability and cooperation play?
The global vision of Net-Pharma Hub is based on multilevel cooperation, betting on sustainability as a transversal axis. Projects that integrate good environmental practices, circular economy and alliances for social and economic impact are promoted, expanding the presence in different regions and countries.
Expoquimia is a key meeting point for chemical, pharmaceutical and biotechnological innovation. What does it mean for Net-Pharma Hub to participate in the show? What do you expect from the event?
Participating in Expoquimia means being an active part of the main sectoral innovation forum, accessing high-level networking and giving global visibility to the hub’s projects. Net-Pharma Hub hopes to strengthen alliances, capture new opportunities and make visible the international capabilities of the ecosystem.
How do you see the future of the Spanish pharmaceutical industry and what role does Net-Pharma Hub want to play in its consolidation as a European benchmark?
The future of the Spanish pharmaceutical industry is marked by digitalisation, sustainability and adaptation to new regulations, which will open up opportunities in more personalised therapies and more resilient value chains. Net-Pharma Hub wants to lead this transformation as a benchmark for innovation and sectoral integration. We aspire to strengthen public-private collaboration, accelerate R+D and promote specialized talent. The objective is to consolidate a competitive, autonomous industry capable of projecting itself in Europe as an engine of health and development.
