In 2023, the European Commission proposed regulations for plants developed through New Genomic Techniques (NGTs). After passing through Parliament in March 2025, the Council granted a negotiating mandate to start the so-called 'trilogues.' However, techniques like CRISPR do not recognize deadlines, and their development has accelerated thanks to the boost provided by new applications of artificial intelligence (AI) in genomic selection and digitalization, which helps prioritize and identify genetic targets. All this combined potential is discussed in the "Mapping the agrotech ecosystem in Spain" report, one of the most commendable efforts to assess the state of technological development in the country. This study, which analyzes the outlook of the primary sector and its key technological players, was released at the end of 2024 by ICEX Invest in Spain and the Cajamar Group, in collaboration with Biovegen. Representatives from the three institutions will debate at the Biotech Congress, held alongside Fruit Attraction and organized by Biovegen, the potential of Spanish agrotech, NGTs, and, of course, how AI and digitalization are driving its growth.
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This round table will be the highlight of the highly anticipated event, held at the Fruit Forum (between Pavilions 1 and 3). Since 2024, it has gained congressional status and is expected to draw record attendance again this year, with over 450 professionals, researchers, technology center representatives, and agricultural entrepreneurs registered. Following an opening address by María J. Sánchez, the event's director, the program will feature presentations by Ana Castro, Vice President of Innovation and Transfer at CSIC, and José Pellicer, host and President of Biovegen. The eagerly awaited debate on the "Potential and prospects of the Spanish agrotech sector" will follow. Participants include Inés Lucía, investor manager at ICEX; Juan Carlos Gázquez, Deputy Director of Cajamar Innova; Gonzaga Ruiz de Gauna, Manager of Biovegen; Gabino Sánchez, Business Director of Hudson River Biotechnology; the three key contributors to the important document; and the Spanish manager of a company founded in Wageningen (Netherlands) a decade ago, which has already achieved certain attributes sought in plants, which would take 7-10 years through breeding, are now achieved in 2-4 years with CRISPR.
"Agriculture is undergoing an unprecedented pace of technological change," says Biovegen's president. "Exponential technologies are emerging that are impacting business models. Innovation is risky. That's true. However, not innovating now can be lethal," stated José Pellicer, justifying the ambitious offer of knowledge and business that Biovegen has prepared for this edition of the fair.
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Biotech Attraction and the Fruit Forum
The congress is its main highlight, but Biovegen's dedication to advancing plant innovation in the primary sector extends further, including the organization of the Biotech Attraction fair, now in its sixth year. This event is part of Innova&Tech, which also features Smart Agro, focused on digitalization and automation. This year, Biotech Attraction will feature a record 22 exhibitors, including major project funder CDTI, fertiliser giant Fertiberia, institutes such as Itene (Valencia, specializing in packaging), Ainia (Valencia, agri-food), and X_Agritech, a network managed by IRTA that involves over 300 researchers from eight Catalan institutions. Emerging biotech companies at the forefront of development, such as ValGenetics S.L., Madeinplant (both from Valencia), Cultiply (Seville), and 3ABIOTECH (Murcia), along with agricultural R&D services like Agricola 2000 (Italy), technology centres such as Cartif (Valladolid), Funditec (Madrid), and plant breeder Breedx (Granada), among others, have also committed to this space.
Biovegen aimed to replicate the success of previous years by providing many companies, including some new ones, with the opportunity to present specific agricultural projects and solutions in a more gradual manner, also within Hall 5 at the Fruit Forum. During the three-day fair, up to 18 presentations are scheduled for potential customers. Key speeches will cover topics like the NGT, new digital tools, and the future of AI in crop genetic improvement. To support technology transfer and facilitate agreements, Biotech Attraction will offer dedicated spaces for exhibitors and professionals attending the congress, with 71 bilateral meetings already arranged before the fair begins.
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Preparing for the rise of NGTs
Returning to the Biotech Congress after the round table on Spain's agrotech potential, the focus now shifts to NGTs. María Lois, director and lead researcher at the Centre de Recerca en Agrigenòmica (CRAG), will discuss the nGENIA project, which involves experts advising the Ministry of Agriculture on these techniques. The project also plans to hold meetings with interest groups to explore their potential contributions to the agri-food sector and to coordinate research and outreach efforts. Moving from theory to practice, José M. Mulet, a renowned researcher from IBMCP (UPV-CSIC, Valencia), will present how NGTs have improved broccoli cultivation.
Then, three successful cases of technology transfer in public-private consortia will be highlighted: Jorge Lozano from IBMCP (UPV-CSIC) will discuss using drugs to enhance drought tolerance in agriculture; Francisco Bermúdez, CEO of Beyond Seeds, will share outcomes from an operational group involving Biovegen, called GO Biodif, focusing on nanofertilizers—nutrients and bioactive compounds—for table olives and olive oil; and finally, Pablo Gutiérrez from Viveros Integrales El Ejidillo will present the GO Simbioliva project, which aims to revalue alperujo (olive pomace). Finally, the event will be closed by the director of CDTI Innovation, Carlos de la Cruz.
For more information:
Biovegen. Plataforma Tecnológica de Biotecnología Vegetal
Parque Científico de Madrid. C/ Faraday 7
Campus de Cantoblanco. 28.049 Madrid.
Tel: (+34) 917 710 272. Móv.: +34 627 428373
https://biovegen.org/
