The meeting, held at the Barcelona City Hall, was attended by the Secretary of Telecommunications and Digital Transformation, Albert Tort, and the Secretary of Digital Policies, Maria Galindo. The new Connect Health program, presented by Laia Corbella (CEO of Mobile World Capital Barcelona) and John Hoffman (CEO of GSMA Ltd.), will bring together healthcare professionals, pharmaceutical and biotech companies, technology firms, startups, investors, policymakers, and researchers.
"Catalonia has a top-tier ecosystem for health, research, and innovation, and initiatives like this allow us to leverage the transformative power of technology to improve public services and, above all, citizens' lives," stated Minister Dalmau. The aim is for Barcelona and Catalonia to continue being a meeting point for talent, knowledge, technology, and businesses to address major societal challenges.
Connect Health will be structured around four main pillars: artificial intelligence and health data; new models of connected, preventive, and patient-centered care; the application of AI in research, drug development, and personalized medicine; and health equity, integrated care, digital therapies, and healthy aging. Connectivity and solution scalability will be cross-cutting elements.
For the first time, Connect Health will have its own space in Hall 7 of MWC Barcelona, featuring stages for debates, a networking area, a demonstration zone for the latest healthcare innovations, and an exhibition space. The 4YFN will also host specific sessions, a startup exhibition area, and activities for entrepreneurs and investors.
Barcelona concentrates 93% of Catalonia's health and life sciences ecosystem, with 1,650 companies linked to health innovation, the presence of 17 out of the top 20 pharmaceutical and medical technology companies, and nearly 360,000 professionals. Connect Health is supported by the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Barcelona City Council, and the Ministry for Digital Transformation and Public Function.
