The programme began at Fraunhofer Spain’s facilities at the Barcelona Science Park and was organized by Fraunhofer Spain in cooperation with Fraunhofer IBMT to explore opportunities for international research collaboration and technology cooperation in cutting-edge biotechnology and advanced biomedical technologies, and to identify potential areas of cooperation among the participating institutions.

The delegation brought together representatives of the Gyeongsangbuk-do Provincial Government, Andong City Government, the Gyeongbuk Institute for Bio Industry (GIB), and the K-Bio Pharmaceutical CMO Center. Following a welcome by Elena Martínez, Deputy Director of Fraunhofer Spain, Josep Samitier, Executive Director of Fraunhofer Spain, presented the foundation and the Fraunhofer Center for Applied Theragnostics (Fraunhofer CAT), highlighting their role in connecting Spanish research and industry with the wider Fraunhofer network and translating scientific advances into applications.

During the meeting, the Korean representatives introduced their institutions and shared their experience in areas ranging from vaccine development and commercialization to natural-products research and support for the food industry. The exchange also provided an opportunity to explore shared interests, with advanced regenerative biomaterials emerging as a possible area for cooperation.

Elena Martínez subsequently led the delegation on a tour of the Fraunhofer CAT laboratories, offering a first-hand view of the center’s infrastructure and research capabilities. The exchange created an opportunity to compare complementary expertise, discuss concrete scientific and technological interests, and open the door to future collaboration between Fraunhofer Spain and the participating Korean institutions.

The two-day programme also included meetings and visits involving the Barcelona Science Park, Catalonia.Health, NoctuRNA Therapeutics, oloBion, Barcelona Global and Biocat, giving the delegation a broader perspective on Barcelona and Catalonia’s health, biotechnology and innovation ecosystem.