The first session of Catalonia.health’s new series brought a group of health-sector companies to Eurecat’s headquarters in Cerdanyola del Vallès, to get a close look at the technological infrastructure already within their reach.

Caring robots, an innovative manufacturing technology that melts plastic using ultrasound, and a medical device that has already reached more than 100,000 patients. The first edition of Infrastructure Connection, held on 21 October at Eurecat, brought it all together in a single afternoon. Roser Alba, from Catalonia.health, opened the event by thanking attendees for coming, and Eurecat for being willing to inaugurate a series that links technology and innovation.

The Eurecat teams were first-class hosts: they opened the doors of their home to us and took care of every detail so that attendees could make the most of the visit. First they explained the technologies they design, test and research, and then we got to see them in action.

Three partners, three success stories

The session included three success stories from Catalonia.health partner companies that have grown hand in hand with Eurecat. Jofre Ferrer-Dalmau, from Bioeclosion, presented their device and how Eurecat helped them develop part of it, with a look at protected intellectual property, technology transfer and funding. Sebas Idelsohn, for his part, explained the development of Ephion Health’s digital biomarkers.

Lluís Chico shared the journey of NEOS Surgery, a company dedicated to surgical implants: sales around the world, devices that have already reached more than 100,000 patients, and recognition at the 2024 Premios Pyme Nacional. He recalled that they started out using Eurecat’s facilities, which served as their incubator, and highlighted the value of the Eurecat brand. An idea, many years of R&D and a patented product: knowledge transfer in its purest form.

Robots that will make our lives easier

During the visit, Simona Neri, Innovation Manager and European programmes coordinator in Eurecat’s Robotics and Automation / Artificial Intelligence department, gave a demonstration of assistive robotics: artificial intelligence applied to robots that provide care. Seeing all kinds of robots, and the passion with which she explained them, was one of the most moving moments of the afternoon.

We also got to know Ultrasonic Moulding, an innovative advanced manufacturing technology based on melting plastic with ultrasound, and the Plastronics and Printed Electronics Pilot Plant, with mould electronics: devices with chips designed for medical products.

Infrastructure Connection is a series driven by Catalonia.health’s Internal Innovation Committee to connect health-sector companies with Catalonia’s technological infrastructure capabilities. And this is only the beginning: new sessions are coming soon. Keep an eye on our channels so you don’t miss the next one.