The Government of Catalonia Gives Thrust to the Construction of the BIST Building for a Hub on Precision Medicine

by Arlet Lozano Arenas

The biomedical research and innovation hub, where ICN2 will share research spaces, infrastructures and scientific projects with other BIST centres, will help consolidate our institute’s translational research programme in nanomedicine. The Government of Catalonia will entrust the promotion of the building to the Barcelona Biomedical Research Park (PRBB).

On March 25^th, the Catalan Government signed an agreement to propel the construction of a building within the new complex focused on precision medicine, biodiversity and societal well-being, located on the former site of Mercat del Peix (‘Old Fish Market’ in English), next to Ciutadella Park in Barcelona. The building will host research and innovation activities of BIST (The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology) on precision medicine. ICN2 will be one of the BIST centres participating in this collaborative research initiative. According to BIST’s Director, Eduard Vallory, this deal represents a key step in the overall construction project, setting 2028 as the operational target for the building.

For context, this initiative is part of a larger urban and scientific project that aims at converting Ciutadella Park into a leading hub for outreach, knowledge transfer and innovation in southern Europe, joining other universities, museums, research centers, foundations and companies in the area. Its strategic location is expected to facilitate the generation of scientific knowledge. In addition, the new building will bring together around 900 people, deepening synergies not only among multiple BIST centers but also across different scientific and technological areas of expertise—all with the common goal of improving human health.

At ICN2, we are pleased to be part of this promising initiative that will contribute to strengthening Barcelona’s medical research ecosystem.