When knowledge is transformed into action
All the investment is the fruit of a recognition of talent. The Portuguese are known for their capacity to adapt, and proof of this is the fact that 42% speak at least one second language. More recently, the MIT praised the merit of the Portuguese centers of investigation, in relation to the contracts signed with Portuguese companies, universities and skills centers. Since 2001, Portugal has been part of a small group of “countries of excellence” in terms of its contribution to the top 10 scientific publications most cited worldwide.
BIAL, Portugal’s largest pharmaceutical group, invests 20% of its annual turnover in I&D to obtain new drugs, and sells its medicines in more than 30 countries. Also, Hovione, Atral-Cipan and Medinfar have revealed plans for the expansion of I&D in the area of life sciences and the pharmaceutical industry. Recognition of the Portuguese talent has been growing, as seen in the opening of the centers of investigation and excellence, and the multiplication of international awards. An example is companies like Vodafone and Nokia Siemens Networks which has settled in Portugal its International Innovation Centres envolving 1500 specialized employees, or the award given to the scientist Elvira Fortunato in 2008, by the European Research Council (ERC). Her “Invisible” project will enable the creation of transparent integrated transistors and circuits.