In the last years, many scientists have rolled up their lab coat sleeves and created small companies in order to try to invent something that, one day, could be a product… who knows, a new drug molecule (i.e. a new pharmaceutical), a new genetic test, a new vaccine, or even a new software tool to be applied in clinical management.
According to a study performed in 2016 by Portugal Ventures, a public venture capital company, the number of small companies in the health and biotechnology area more than doubled between 2009 and 2014. In addition, 72 biotechnology startups had been created since 1989 and, despite all the risks involved, 68 remained active by the end of 2015.
Moreover, a group of researchers of the University of Minho went further and reported that the Biotechnology sector showed a growth of 240% over a period of 8 years in Portugal, above the average growth in Europe (157%). Also, they related that these companies employed 478 people, with an average size of 7.4 employees per company, which represents about one third of the European average (24.5 employees).
Beyond that, in 2014, the number of patents* more than doubled in eight years, and in may 2019, a study of characterization of the biotechnology sector was presented at BIOMEET, reporting that Biotechnology is the 5th most technology area with more patents in Portugal.
Where can you study Biotechnology, in Portugal?
In Portugal, you can graduate in Biotechnology (Bachelor) in several universities:
Where can you work in Biotechnology research, in Portugal?
Besides Universities, you can also work on investigation in research centers.
We prepared a list of 6 research centers:
What are the companies working in Biotechnology, in Portugal?
Some companies that work in the Biotechnology sector are:
Immunethep – Cantanhede
Stemmatters – Guimarães
Biotrend – Cantanhede
Neurimm Therapeutics – Lisbon
Bioprimier – Lisbon
TechnoPhage – Lisbon
BSIM Therapeutics – Coimbra
Exogenus Therapeutics – Cantanhede
Fastinov – Matosinhos
BioMimetx – Lisbon
Luzitin – Coimbra
Nano4 Global – Lisbon
TREAT U – Coimbra
SilicoLife – Braga
Biosurfit – Lisbon
Bioinvitro – Vila do Conde
NaturalConcepts – Guimarães
Proenol – Vila Nova de Gaia
Biomode – Braga
EGI – Vila Nova de Famalicão
Spawnfoam – Vila Real
Resiway – Vila Nova de Gaia
FairJourney Biologics – Porto
Ambifood – Porto
Mérieux NutriSciences – Vila Nova de Gaia
Adapttech – Porto
Qualfood – Porto
CyanoCare – Porto
HWMED – Matosinhos
Crioestaminal – Cantanhede
Aeb Bioquímica Portuguesa – Viseu
Gene PreDiT – Cantanhede
ALGAplus – Ílhavo
HeartGenetics, Genetics & Biotechnology – Cantanhede
CarboCode – Cantanhede
Biogen – Lisbon
Hitag Biotechnology – Cantanhede
SGS Molecular – Lisbon
Bohus Biotech Portugal – Sousel, Portalegre
Aromas e Boletos – Leiria
ASTROLABE – Loures
Syngenta Crop Protection – Lisbon
ALGATEC Eco Business Park – Vila Franca de Xira
BioTask – Torres Vedras
Lavoisier Portugal – Setúbal
Biogal – Odivelas
PLUX wireless biosignals – Lisbon
AIM CIALA – Setúbal
CEBAL – Beja
CCMAR – Faro
Necton – Olhão
Kinetikos – Coimbra
Bionz – Póvoa de Lanhoso
LEPABE – Porto
Biosckin – Maia
IBP Instituto de Biotecnologia De Portugal – Porto
SANJOTEC – São João da Madeira
QUIMIALMEL – Albergaria a Velha
IMPORLAB – Póvoa do Varzim
BIOTASK – Lisbon
VETHERAPY – Coimbra
OPHIOMICS – Lisbon
AQUAZOR – Azores
QUALITYPLANT – Coimbra
HBT – Porto
SEA4US – Faro
SIPCAM – Lisbon
LOGICSEARCH – Coimbra
VECTOR B2B – Lisbon
SICGEN – Coimbra
CIB – Lisbon
ECBIO - Lisbon
INOVE GENE – Évora
ALGICEL – Açores
The Navigator Company – Aveiro, Figueira da Foz, Lisbon
Colep – Vale de Cambra
A3Lab – Ílhavo
Equilibrium – Matosinhos
Bebevida – Porto
Unicam – Porto and Lisbon
inLab – São João da Madeira
Colquimica – Valongo
Genibet – Lisbon
Coimbra Genomics – Cantanhede
We-aloft – Canidelo
Solvay – Lisbon
Saníssimo – Vila do Conde
Now, you already know the Biotechnology reality in Portugal. Probably, you are thinking: “Oh but Portugal is such a small country… and abroad, in Europe for instance, how is the Biotechnology market?”
Stay tuned, you will know soon!
*a patent is a form of intellectual property, giving to their owners the exclusivity to commercially exploit their invention, for a certain period of time.
References:
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