Spanish pharmaceutical companies invest 1.533 billion in R&D, 6.6% more

The majority of the investment was concentrated in Phase III, with €476 million. This phase is characterized by its large patient enrollment to verify the results of the proof of concept from the previous phases. It is generally the last patient study before regulatory approval. The early phases (Phase I and II) totaled €138 million and €176 million, respectively. The organization highlights that these initial phases have gained importance in recent years, with an increase of five percentage points. Furthermore, Farmaindustria indicates that investment in clinical research carried out by the pharmaceutical industry has increased at an average cumulative annual rate of 7% over the last 10 years.

The survey identifies the increase in projects carried out outside the university, that is, in collaboration with hospitals, universities, and public and private centers, as one of the main trends in R&D investment. This now represents almost 45% of the total funds allocated. The employers' association points out that this is "a fundamental contribution" to the biomedical research ecosystem in Spain because it encourages the improvement of researchers' qualifications, enables the financial sustainability of centers, and facilitates early patient access to novel treatments.

R&D carried out by the pharmaceutical industry is also a driver of employment, which now exceeds 6,021 people in Spain. In 2022 data, it grew by 9.5% compared to the previous year. “The pharmaceutical sector in Spain is a major driver of high-quality, qualified, equal, and diverse employment. In the case of research staff, two out of three are women and nine out of ten are university graduates,” says the Director General of Farmaindustria.