Incyte Biosciences Iberia has invested €130 million in Spanish research and development over the last eight years, but slow approvals and uneven access continue to affect patients. Juan Díaz Redondo, vice president and general manager, says Spain’s science is top-tier. Yet getting new treatments from the lab to patients remains 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 more than 45 hospitals in 11 autonomous communities. But those numbers do not reflect patients’ reality: Díaz Redondo says only 69% of EMA-approved innovations reach Spain, and more than half come with restrictions that prevent some patients from receiving them.
The Spanish pharmaceutical association Farmaindustria has called on the new government to accelerate the introduction of new medicines and ensure equal access across all autonomous communities.
“Once we have new idea 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. Of its 3,000 employees, 1,600 work in research. The company reinvests 30% to 40% of its yearly profits in research, well above the industry average of 20%. Incyte began with hematological cancers and graft-versus-host disease. It is now expanding its oncology work into solid tumors while pursuing immunology, focusing on diseases where current treatments fail.
A draft reform of Spain’s medicines and medical devices law aimed to improve access to new idea and address pricing and shortages, but it was left unfinished when parliament was dissolved. The legislative process must restart with the new parliament, delaying potential improvements for patients and industry.
Research alone is not enough. Díaz Redondo says agreements 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: standard data are lacking, as are open talks with regulators. No one knows when or how new treatments will arrive.
European projects such as Health Technology Assessment could help. If Spain adopts them, all regions might get equal access to new therapies. The industry is watching, and many hope for fairer, 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. The appointment reflects how 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. Faster, fairer access to new treatments could help Spain lead in biomedical research and patient care. For now, companies like Incyte keep pushing for reforms to turn investment into real results for patients.
