Read the Conversation
EF: What did you want to achieve when you were appointed to this role at Basque Health Cluster?
IM: Initially, I saw an opportunity to join the cluster as a chance to help it grow alongside the sector. The Basque government began supporting it around 2009, and by 2010, when the cluster was formed, only about 14-15 companies were involved. When this initiative began, the health sector was an opportunity for the Basque government, but it was underdeveloped.
Over the years, more companies joined, and the cluster followed a strategy of growing with the sector. The sector is expanding rapidly, and the cluster, which now counts 124 associated entities, needs to keep pace to support it effectively. As a result, we've been collaborating with our associated companies and other relevant entities to develop a new strategic plan. This plan will guide us in strengthening the cluster, focusing our efforts, and raising the standards of professionalism within our organization.
EF: What are the current priorities on your strategic agenda right now?
IM: Our new strategic plan focuses on six key pillars that address industry needs. Firstly, there's a big demand for talent. We need to recruit and develop skilled individuals as the industry grows. We're also looking to attract talent from outside the region, highlighting the opportunities and quality of life here in the Basque Country. The second pillar is data and biosamples, which are crucial for our sector's advancement. With the technological advancements, integrating data into our operations is essential. Despite the challenges, these are opportunities, especially with the European data strategy. Focusing locally and internationally is important, as well as finding key partners and positioning ourselves as competitors. Lastly, artificial intelligence is rapidly becoming a part of everyday business operations and will soon be essential for our companies and devices.
Another critical pillar for our sector is regulatory issues, which are a top priority. Currently, Spain only has one notification body, the Spanish agency. We're collaborating with other organizations to urge the health ministry to open up the possibility of certifying new notification bodies privately. This is important because the regulatory requirements have increased, especially after Brexit, and we need more bodies to keep up with certification demands. Unlike other countries like Italy and Germany, Spain lacks new notification bodies. Our goal is to make it easier for our smaller companies to navigate certification processes locally and at the European level, and we aim to establish a Basque Notification Body in the future.
Another crucial aspect is internationalization, particularly in identifying priority markets and supporting our companies in attending relevant commercial fairs. We aim to promote collaboration among our companies to maximize their presence at these events. Additionally, we're focused on internationalizing our R&D efforts and supporting our companies' participation in collaborative projects at the European level, such as Horizon Europe, through our cluster.
Financing is crucial, especially for our companies' involvement in collaborative projects. While public finance is one avenue, we also focus on attracting local and international private funding. We aim to keep our companies rooted here in the Basque Country while making our sector competitive. It's important to address the risk perception in our industry and showcase the potential returns for investors. We understand it's a challenging journey, with regulatory hurdles and long product development timelines, but successful companies can provide significant returns on investment.
Lastly, commercialization is a significant challenge for our companies and a key strength. Many of our companies already sell internationally, with 70 to 80% of their market abroad. However, we also aim to support them in selling their products within our health system. Promoting local products and innovative technologies can contribute to sustainable development goals and benefit our health system and society. This approach improves patient care and has positive environmental and economic impacts. We're committed to being a valuable partner for our health system in this endeavor.
EF: What makes the Basque region attractive for life sciences?
IM: Our ecosystem is unique because we're closely connected to research institutes and have strong government support. As a cluster, we serve as a bridge to the Basque research technological alliance, including key health technology partners. Many technological centers and universities are engaged in R&D and collaboration between hospitals and the private sector. This close relationship extends to the public health system and government. The government's new strategy, Osasun Poloa, aims to establish an international health hub in which we, as a cluster, will play a significant role. Companies within our ecosystem highly value this collaborative approach.
EF: How are you partnering with educational institutions, and how are these partnerships mutually beneficial?
IM: We have close ties with academia and the four universities in the Basque Country. A unique technical education system bridges colleges and universities, which helps professionals develop practical skills. We collaborate closely with these institutions to identify the skills our companies need. This includes launching specialized programs or micro-credentials to enhance the skills of students and professionals already in the sector. We're also exploring partnerships with the administration to support professionals relocating here, including their families, which is crucial for attracting talent outside the Basque Country. This collaborative effort with the government is essential for promoting talent acquisition, both locally and globally.
EF: What characteristics do you see in the Basque cluster SMEs that make them attractive to an international market?
IM: Many of our companies are highly competitive at a technological level, making them attractive to investors. The Basque government supports access to different markets through initiatives like Invest in Basque Country and the Basque Trade and Investment Office. This office has a global reach, with offices in many countries and expert consultants in others. We've recently formed a working group on internationalization, collaborating closely with Basque Trade and Investment to identify market opportunities and provide tailored support to individual companies. Working together and leveraging each other's experiences and resources makes the process easier, especially given the diversity within our sector. With technologically advanced companies and professionalized teams backed by Basque trade and investment support, we're well-positioned to attract investment and access new markets.
EF: What are your three favorite things about the Basque Country?
IM: Our region offers a unique quality of life, rich culture, and breathtaking landscapes. We take pride in our strong sense of community and history. Our public services are exceptional compared to other regions. People here are deeply connected to their country and territory, rooted in a long traditional history. We're open to welcoming people from abroad and have strong international connections. The culture, high quality of life, and proximity to France make this area attractive. It's an attractive option for those seeking a vibrant yet cozy lifestyle away from the hustle and bustle of larger cities like Madrid or Barcelona. Bilbao, for example, offers all the opportunities of a big city but with a smaller, more welcoming feel. Plus, the food here is amazing and affordable.
EF: Do you have any final message for our readers or anything special you would like to share about your work in the Basque Health Cluster?
IM: We're excited to share our new message and logo, highlighting our plan to empower what matters. We want people to see the opportunities in our region, where the sector thrives with strong support from technology, innovation, and government initiatives. The growth we're experiencing isn't just a promise; it's becoming a reality, and we're always open to new collaborations and attracting investors. There's potential for new ventures and opportunities for growth here in the Basque Country, making it an exciting prospect for buyers and investors alike.
