iBET Biofarma Research Unit inaugurated today
Our new research Unit iBET Biofarma was inaugurated today in a ceremony with over 300 guests, including government members Elvira Fortunato, Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Manuel Pizarro, Minister of Health, Maria do Céu Antunes, Minister of Agriculture, and Isaltino Morais, Mayor of Oeiras. Clive Wood, Global Head of Research from Boehringer Ingelheim, and member of iBET's Scientific Advisory Board, also gave a speech in the official program. More than 50 guests from international pharma and biotech companies were present, in addition to representatives of long-term academic partners from Portugal and abroad, iBET's shareholders and iBET researchers.
The ceremony was opened by CEO Paula Alves who highlighted iBET's journey of growth since more than 30 years ago until it became an institute of reference in Portugal and worldwide in the development of advanced therapies and vaccines, for which it is recognised today in its field. Paula Alves further highlighted the value iBET brings to the Portuguese Economy, when 90% of its profit is coming from abroad, mostly from big pharma and biotech companies.
"We are also proud of creating more than 100 new scientific jobs with iBET Biofarma, which will allow to attract and retain qualified talent in Portugal", underlined Paula. "For us, our biggest asset is our people, and therefore we strive to invest in the best talent because they are the ones who help us working with this quality and continue being competitive."
After Paula Alves, Clive Wood from Boehringer Ingelheim, spoke about the value of partnerships for the success of research and innovation, and highlighted the long-term partnership of iBET with Boehringer which has brought enormous value to their drug discovery pipelines.
The Minister of Science and Technology Elvira Fortunato, stated her strong support to iBET's mission of establishing bridges between academia and industry and the value its generates to the country.
Finally, Manuel Pizarro, highlighted the contribution of iBET to the field of Health and Biopharmaceuticals, in which the number of patents has increased by 85% in the last year in Portugal, and also highlighted the 18 patents submitted by iBET in the last 20 years. Manuel Pizarro made reference to the high investment in health and innovation within the Recuperation and Resilience Program, two of which have iBET as a partner.
With an investment of more than 25 Million Euros and 30 research labs over a total area of 6700 m2, iBET Biofarma Research unit will allow the expansion of iBET's activity in partnership with international pharma and biotech companies. The key areas of activity are the development of bioprocesses and analytical tools to produce new gene & cell therapies and vaccines for human and veterinary health.
Photo Credit: Ramon de Melo Photo