430
Pharma & Biotech companies
Source: Statistics Portugal and SABI (2021). Healthcare and laboratorial analysis not included.
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Investment
Health industry
Portugal has a growing Health Industry with a strong focus in international markets, supported by a sophisticated R&D ecosystem and a highly qualified talent pool
Health industry at a glance
Portugal, with its highly trained and skilled workforce, guarantees the progression of the health value chain, encompassing pharma & biotech, medical services and e-health companies.
The country has a strong R&D and innovation ecosystem, including world-class research institutions, universities and innovation centres. This dynamic environment serves as a thriving hub for the development and production of new technologies and products in the Health industry.
Health industry insights
Portugal boasts award-winning R&D institutions in health-related subjects. Champalimaud Foundation performs world-leading fundamental and translational research in the fields of neuroscience, physiology and cancer. i3S2 is also known internationally for its projects tackling society's most urgent health challenges, including aging, infectious diseases, and regenerative medicine.
The NHS in Portugal plays a crucial role in the life sciences cluster, standing out for providing high-quality services and a globally recognized performance, as acknowledge by the OECD.
Recent FDI projects in Portugal
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Recipharm (Sweden)
In 2022, the Portuguese biopharmaceutical GenIbet was acquired by the pharmaceutical multinational Recipharm. The company’s CEO claims this acquisition will help GenIbet performing relevant work in the future by focusing on biological products from Recipharm.
Fresenius Kabi (Germany)
Fresenius Kabi opened the 1st industrial compounding Parenteral Nutrition unit in Tondela , Portugal, in 2022, which represents a €30M investment. This investment led to the creation of 12 new qualified jobs, that are added up to the 800 people already employed in the pharmaceutical company.
Zendal (Spain)
Spanish pharmaceutical company Zendal has invested €15M in the production and packaging of viral vaccines in Paredes de Coura , in 2021. In addition, until 2026, the Spanish pharmaceutical company will invest a total of €80M for the installation of two more vaccine factories and another one for injectables in Portugal.
Labatec (Switzerland)
In 2021, the Swiss pharmaceutical company Labatec opened its first factory in Portugal, with an investment of €15M. In Portugal, the focus will be on producing antibiotics, medicines for muscle and pain, some products for the treatment of tuberculosis, and expanding production to other companies.
