A new research campus of the pharmaceutical company Hipra has opened in Girona. Located in Aiguaviva, the site covers more than 110,000 square meters. The first phase of construction, spanning 28,000 square meters, has been completed. Currently, 320 specialists are employed here, with plans to expand the staff to one thousand in the future.
Hipra, based in Amer, initially specialized in veterinary medicines. In recent years, however, the company has focused on developing vaccines not only for animals but also for humans. The new campus is expected to become a key part of its strategy to boost production capabilities and scientific research, enabling the company to take a leading role in vaccine manufacturing for pandemic response in Europe.
The opening ceremony was attended by government representatives, including the Minister of Industry and Tourism and the President of the Generalitat. They noted that launching the campus is an important step for all of Europe in its pursuit of greater healthcare independence. According to them, such projects can strengthen the region’s position in the global biotechnology market.
Hipra’s history dates back to 1954, when the company was dedicated exclusively to veterinary medicine. In 2008, it shifted its strategy to focus on the prevention of animal diseases. In 2024, the company’s turnover exceeded 440 million euros, with a net profit of nearly 33 million. With the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Hipra quickly adapted and became the first Spanish producer of a coronavirus vaccine — Bimervax. This vaccine was fully developed and registered in Europe, and in 2023, it received approval from the European regulator.
Although the vaccine was not included in the national campaign last year, the company expects that this season the product will be approved for mass use. Hipra is also involved in European rapid response initiatives to new threats, including the EU-FAB and Speedcell projects, which focus on developing technologies to produce vaccines within 100 days of the emergence of new pathogens.
The company’s portfolio includes more than a hundred vaccines for animals and humans, as well as dozens of new projects. Hipra is actively researching the development of vaccines against West Nile virus and respiratory syncytial virus. In addition, the company is engaged in contract manufacturing of active pharmaceutical ingredients for other firms.
The new campus brings together laboratories for both veterinary and medical research, as well as production facilities for biological products. A new production line based on a microbiological platform is expected to become operational early next year. Further campus expansion is planned, which will increase production capacity and create additional jobs.
Hipra’s management emphasizes that the project is designed to be one of Europe’s leading biotechnology centers. The company believes that the development of the campus will not only strengthen the positions of Spain and Catalonia, but also enhance the resilience of the entire European region to future epidemics.
