Portugal has taken another step in asserting itself internationally as a strategic partner in innovation and sustainability by hosting the seminar “Portugal – Japan Life Sciences Forum: Innovation & Sustainability in Healthcare” seminar on July 1 in Tokyo.
The event, organised by AICEP's Delegation in Japan as part of Portugal’s participation in Expo 2025 Osaka, brought together around 46 representatives from Japanese companies, research centres, universities and public institutions, mainly from the pharmaceutical and biotechnology sectors.
Held at the Embassy of Portugal in Tokyo, the initiative aimed to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the life sciences and to showcase the Portuguese ecosystem and its growing contribution to more innovative and sustainable global healthcare.
“It was a privilege to represent NTT DATA Portugal at this forum and share our work in the field of Clinical Innovation. Events like this are crucial for fostering connections between innovation ecosystems and paving the way for new partnerships that promote sustainable global healthcare,” said Patrícia Calado, Head of Clinical Innovation Portugal at NTT DATA Portugal.
The programme included institutional presentations on the national context and a panel discussion moderated by Yuta Iguchi, which highlighted leading projects in the fields of clinical innovation, biotechnology, and digital health solutions. The panel featured contributions from Patrícia Calado (NTT DATA Portugal), Pedro Cruz (iBET), Jean-Luc Herbeaux (Hovione), and Luís Silva (University of Coimbra). AICEP was represented by Board Member Francisco Catalão and the Head of the Delegation in Tokyo, Miguel Garcia.
The session concluded with a networking moment, encouraging dialogue and the identification of new opportunities for collaboration between Portugal and Japan in the field of life sciences.
This initiative is part of the broader economic programme that AICEP is promoting in Japan, against the backdrop of the success of the Portugal Pavilion at Expo 2025 Osaka, which has already attracted over 900,000 visitors. Upcoming seminars in Japan will address the topics of Defence (8 August) and the Blue Economy (24 September).
The health and life sciences sector in Portugal has become one of the most dynamic and strategic areas of the national economy. Marked by strong investment in innovation, talent, and internationalisation, this ecosystem is now internationally recognised for the quality of its research centres, higher education institutions, companies, and technological solutions.
Over the past two decades, Portugal has made significant progress in this field, standing out in areas such as biotechnology, digital health, and the pharmaceutical industry. The country offers clear comparative advantages that make it increasingly attractive to foreign investment and has already been chosen by several multinationals for high-value-added science- and technology-based projects.
