i4KIDS and Catalonia.Health address the challenges of paediatric innovation and health startups

Innovation in paediatric health requires far more than a promising idea or breakthrough technology. Access to funding, regulatory planning and international expansion are key factors in transforming innovation into solutions capable of delivering real impact for patients and families.

To address these challenges, the event featured Gisela Lorente, CEO of Aptadel Therapeutics; Marc Martinell, CEO of Minoryx Therapeutics; and Stefanos Theoharis, CEO of OneChain Immunotherapeutics, who shared their experiences in building, developing and scaling innovative biotechnology companies.

Attracting investment in health startups

One of the central topics of the session was fundraising, one of the main challenges faced by startups in the paediatric and maternal health sectors. The speakers agreed that while access to investment remains difficult, finding the right investors is possible when companies can demonstrate a strong value proposition, a clear strategy and a balanced combination of financial returns and social impact.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of building long-term relationships with investors and adapting fundraising strategies to the different types of financing required at each stage of growth.

Regulation as a strategic factor from day one

Another key takeaway from the event was the need to incorporate regulatory considerations from the earliest stages of innovation development.

Rather than being viewed as a final step, regulatory strategy should be integrated into project planning from the outset, as it influences critical aspects such as clinical development, technology validation, time-to-market and market access.

Thinking globally to achieve growth

In an increasingly competitive and international environment, participants stressed the importance of adopting a global mindset from the very beginning.

Access to international markets, the establishment of strategic partnerships and the ability to navigate different regulatory frameworks are becoming essential components of sustainable growth for health startups.

Barcelona as a leading health innovation ecosystem

The event also highlighted Barcelona’s strengths as a major health innovation hub, driven by its concentration of scientific talent, research centres, hospitals, startups and organisations supporting entrepreneurship.

The discussion further demonstrated the growing prominence of paediatric innovation within broader healthcare innovation forums, helping to raise awareness of the specific needs of children and adolescents while encouraging the development of solutions tailored to this population.

The session concluded with an institutional conversation between Dr Joan Comella, Director of Research, Innovation and Learning at Sant Joan de Déu, and Eva García, President of Catalonia.Health, who reflected on the opportunities and challenges facing the health innovation ecosystem in Catalonia. They also emphasised the importance of strengthening connections between research, entrepreneurship, industry and investors to increase the sector’s impact and international visibility.

The event closed with a networking session, providing entrepreneurs, researchers, healthcare professionals and industry representatives with the opportunity to exchange ideas, build new connections and explore future collaborations within an increasingly dynamic health innovation ecosystem.

Collaboration between organisations such as i4KIDS and Catalonia.Health will continue to play a crucial role in advancing paediatric innovation and accelerating the development of solutions that improve the health and quality of life of children, adolescents and their families.