Following May 13th session in Lisbon, yesterday the work of more national startups was presented in the fight against COVID-19 in the areas of diagnosis, treatment and prevention (vaccine). Besides showcasing the national developments on this topic, the purpose of the event was also to encourage Portuguese startups to establish international partnerships in each of the three pillars of the initiative: diagnosis, therapies / treatment and vaccines, and to support the creation of a combined response to the pandemic in the context of the Global Response platform to Covid-19.

The Global Response to Covid-19 platform brings together a cluster of organizations committed to the development of solutions to the COVID-19 pandemic, including WHO, UNITAID, the G20 countries, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Global Fund for Innovative Diagnostics, the Coalition for Preventive Innovations against Pandemic and GAVI (Alliance for Vaccine).

The impact of COVID-19, in Portugal and in the world, highlighted the importance of life sciences and the relevance they may have in the face of eventual health crises. This was the trigger that led P-BIO to invest in the development of a European strategic proposal for productive capacity for health, to promote highly qualified employment and to invest in research.

From the 8 companies present at yesterday’s session, 4 are located at Biocant Park:
- HeartGenetics (diagnostic)
- Immunethep (vaccine development)
- Crioestaminal (therapeutics)
- Matera (medical devices)