Construction has officially begun on the Barcelona Ciutadella Biomedical Research Park (PRBB Ciutadella), a significant new hub for biomedical innovation and precision medicine. This ambitious project is taking shape at the former Mercat del Peix site, adjacent to the Universitat Pompeu Fabra (UPF) on Wellington Street, marking a crucial step for Barcelona’s scientific future. Officials expect construction of this scientific facility to last until March 2028, with the park becoming fully operational by late that year.
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New Research Hub Takes Shape
The new PRBB Ciutadella will accommodate up to 950 researchers working across diverse fields, including genomics, cancer research, and bioengineering. The facility will span 24,700 square metres across nine uniquely designed floors. The Institut de Recerca Biomèdica de Barcelona (IRB Barcelona) will relocate its entire headquarters from the Barcelona Science Park on Diagonal Avenue, occupying 60% of the new space, equivalent to approximately five floors. Additionally, the Institut de Bioenginyeria de Catalunya (IBEC) will utilise 25% of the space for various research groups. The remaining 15% will house teams from the Institut Català de Nanociència i Nanotecnologia (ICN2), the Institut de Ciències Fotòniques (ICFO), and the Centre de Regulació Genòmica (CRG). The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology (BIST) will also establish its headquarters within the new park.
Jordi Camí, the current director of the PRBB Barceloneta, emphasised the project’s importance. He stated, “It will be a key piece of the Ciutadella del Coneixement research axis.” This initiative aims to significantly boost Barcelona and Catalonia’s leadership in biomedical research across Southern Europe. The new centre will attract international talent and foster groundbreaking scientific discoveries. Camí will also assume the directorship of this new frontier research centre.
A Long Road to Construction
Authorities began conceiving the project between 2017 and 2018. However, the initiative faced considerable delays, stalling for approximately one year and three months. Previous project management encountered difficulties securing economic viability and resolving numerous disagreements among the research centres regarding space distribution, a highly valuable resource in scientific investigation. Jordi Camí highlighted the extensive efforts required, noting, “Five government agreements and two Barcelona municipal plenary agreements were necessary to advance the project.” Sources close to PRBB Ciutadella explained that Alicia Romero, the current Economy and Finance Minister, politically unblocked the situation. She, alongside the Presidency and Research and Universities departments, championed the proposal for Camí to lead the project’s direction and execution. In March 2025, they invited Camí to take charge, recognising his extensive experience. He had previously orchestrated the launch of the original PRBB twenty years ago. Camí remarked, “It has not been easy, it has been a challenge that we have managed to resolve in record time and only one year later we have started the works on the building.”
Significant Investment and Future Vision
The Barcelona Ciutadella Biomedical Research Park represents a total investment of €104 million. This funding comprises €60 million from loans and €44 million contributed by the Catalan Government. The tender for the facility’s construction works took place in November, valued at €77.5 million. The remaining funds will cover furniture and laboratory equipment. On Thursday, the President of the Generalitat, Salvador Illa, accompanied by the Minister for Research and Universities, Núria Montserrat, and the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, are scheduled to visit the ongoing works. This visit underscores the project’s strategic importance to both the city and the region.
This new centre forms the cornerstone of the larger Mercat del Peix scientific complex, which will ultimately cover 46,000 square metres. The complex will also host two additional scientific infrastructures: the Universitat Pompeu Fabra’s (UPF) Planetary Wellbeing Research and Innovation Centre and the Institute of Evolutionary Biology (IBE), a joint centre between UPF and the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC). Camí envisions a vibrant, collaborative environment. He believes, “There will be a mixture of disciplines, professional stages, nationalities, which will foster synergies and provide new opportunities to attract talent and resources. It will become a pioneering knowledge, research, and innovation node in Europe.” The completion of the PRBB Ciutadella will solidify Barcelona’s position as a leading global hub for advanced scientific research and innovation, promising significant long-term benefits for residents and the international scientific community.
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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.
