Incyte Biosciences Iberia has invested €130 million in Spanish R&D and clinical trials, but patients still wait too long for new treatments. Company leaders want clearer deals and quicker approvals to match Spain’s scientific strength.
Incyte Biosciences Iberia has put €130 million into Spanish research and development over the last eight years. Still, the company runs into slow approvals and uneven access for patients. Juan Díaz Redondo, vice president and general manager, says Spain’s science is top-tier. But getting new treatments from the lab to patients is still a gamble.
At the VII Simposio del Observatorio de la Sanidad, Díaz Redondo pointed to Spain’s strong hospitals and scientific talent as reasons for Incyte’s commitment. The company has started more than 18 clinical trials here. Five of those trials have reached over 45 hospitals in 11 autonomous communities. The numbers look good. The reality for patients does not. Díaz Redondo says only 69% of EMA-approved innovations actually reach Spain. More than half come with restrictions that block some patients from getting them.
The Spanish pharmaceutical association Farmaindustria has called on the new government to accelerate the introduction of innovative medicines and ensure equal access across all autonomous communities.
“Once we have innovation approved, we find there is neither agility nor predictability,” Díaz Redondo said. Access to new treatments can take weeks in some regions, or drag on for more than a year in others. This patchwork system leaves patients with unmet needs waiting even longer.
Incyte’s approach is rare in the industry. Out of 3,000 employees, 1,600 work in research. The company puts 30% to 40% of its yearly profits back into research. That’s much higher than the 20% industry average. Incyte started with hematological cancers and graft-versus-host disease. Now it is moving into solid tumors, oncology, and immunology. The focus stays the same: target diseases where current treatments fail.
A draft reform of Spain’s medicines and medical devices law, which aimed to improve access to innovation and address pricing and shortages, was left unfinished when parliament was dissolved. The legislative process must restart with the new parliament, delaying potential improvements for patients and industry.
But research is not enough. Díaz Redondo says deals with health authorities need to fit each therapy’s needs. He wants clear quality goals and strong follow-up. Too often, companies and patients are left guessing. There is no standard data and not enough open talks with regulators. No one knows when or how new treatments will arrive.
European projects like Health Technology Assessment could help. If Spain adopts them, all regions might get equal access to new therapies. The industry is watching. Many hope for fairer and faster access across the country.
Leadership changes are common in Spain’s business world. As reported earlier, MINI Iberia recently named Pilar Cascales as director. This shows more global companies are betting on Spanish talent and infrastructure.
Spain’s science and medicine are strong. But slow rules and red tape put that strength at risk. If lawmakers deliver faster, fairer access to new treatments, Spain could lead in biomedical research and patient care. For now, companies like Incyte keep pushing for reforms that turn investment into real results for patients.
