As part of the Biotech4Food Regional Video Series, Galicia (Spain) showcases its strong positioning in agri-food biotechnology, coordinated locally by ANFACO-CYTMA.
In this episode, Carmen Cotelo, Director of the Galician Innovation Agency – GAIN in the Regional Government (Xunta de Galicia), outlines the region’s commitment to promoting biotechnology through a sector consolidation strategy aimed at positioning Galicia as a leading biotechnology hub at both national and international levels. She also highlights that the new Galician Research and Innovation Plan 2025-2027 includes biotechnology among its four high-impact initiatives, with specific support measures planned for the coming years.
Jose Manuel L. Vilariño, President of the Biotechnology Galician Cluster- BIOGA, explains that advances in molecular biology and the decreasing cost of certain technical tools have made biotechnology increasingly valuable for new developments in the food sector. Alternative proteins and precision fermentation are opening up new frontiers and opportunities, and research projects such as Biotech4Food are helping to change the world of food.
Sandra Rellán, R&I Coordinator at ANFACO-CYTMA, highlights that over 75 years of experience in R&I has positioned this RTO at the forefront of developing biotechnology-based tools to create valuable solutions for the primary, industrial, marine, and food sectors. This work has led the company to participate in a significant number of European projects and international networks, such as Biotech4Food and the I4CE partnership (Ingredients for a Circular Economy).
The episode also features the contribution from a regional company involved in the project, HIFAS Innovation Hub S.L. Esteban Sinde, Research Director at GRUPO HIFAS, presents the activities of the group and their specific role in the Biotech4Food project to apply medicinal mushrooms to improve human health.
This episode presents Galicia’s robust biotech ecosystem and its commitment to innovation in the agri-food sector, showcasing the importance of collaboration between public authorities through their regional policy, sectoral clusters, RTOs and private companies to contribute to increasing the strategic importance of biotechnology in this key area of the region’s economy.
