Andorra Business Awards €500K to Five Firms for Health and Tech Innovation

Andorra Business has granted €500,000 to five local firms for research, development, and innovation projects in health and advanced technologies, marking the government's first call to drive economic diversification into high-value areas.

The awards split into €412,284 for three health-focused efforts and €87,715 for two technology initiatives. Funding, which covers 40% to 65% of eligible costs such as personnel, machinery, materials, and infrastructure, will disburse only after projects conclude and are verified, within a maximum 18 months—extensions possible with strong justification.

In health: - Cimera-Cellab (€330,960) develops personalized T-cell therapies from patients' stem cells to combat aggressive leukemias, collaborating with Gyala Therapeutics, a Barcelona Hospital Clínic spin-off. Its total cost exceeds €500,000, selected for technical complexity, international ties, and economic potential. - Chirolistic Coaching (€44,100) creates digital health and neuroscience protocols for early neurodegenerative disease treatment. - Zaragoza Bort (€37,224) conducts clinical trials on osteopathy's enhancement of visual therapies for eye coordination disorders.

Technology winners include: - Mevi Serveis (€66,991), equipping professional drones for inspections like topography, thermography, and controlled avalanche detonations to improve safety and efficiency. - Etelätär (€20,723), building a privacy-centric digital platform for smart management of people, equipment, and spaces, with a shopping center pilot aimed at energy savings and better user experiences.

Economy, Presidency, Employment, and Housing Minister Conxita Marsol, who leads Andorra Business, unveiled the grants Thursday at the agency's offices. She emphasized innovation's role in attracting talent and establishing Andorra as a European testing ground, while noting housing as the utmost priority. Marsol stressed public funds demand proof of execution, with private investment covering the balance, and aims to deliver research benefits to residents.

Andorra Business director Judit Hidalgo highlighted the projects' strategic edge and knowledge-sharing prospects for local firms and society. From 12 applications, two were excluded for late filing; the rest underwent strict review by Andorra Business, the Andorra Research and Innovation Evaluation Committee, and external specialists where required. She noted high overall quality, with rejected entries poised for 2026 resubmission alongside up to 10 more.

Marsol affirmed another €500,000 for similar grants in 2026, distinct from the €5 million National Innovation Plan, with flexibility to boost funding for standout projects.