Next to its own research and development (R&D) centre, BIOCANT features a business incubator for new enterprises active in Life Sciences. The knowledge cluster and scientific networks in place attract talented young researchers to Portugal’s Centre region.
- 28 April 2014
Kick-started by EUR 9 million of investment from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), the park has created a unique research and business environment with a strong beneficial impact on the region. Since 2005, BIOCANT Park has grown to host 25 businesses, a third of the total number of biotechnology companies in Portugal. Together, they have attracted around EUR 70 million of investment, out of which EUR 40 million comes from national and international private investors. Over 300 highly qualified jobs, mostly for young MSc or PhD graduates, have been created.
Located in Cantanhede in central Portugal, BIOCANT was the result of a strong partnership between the city council and the nearby Universities of Coimbra and Aveiro.
Connecting research and industry
Five laboratory units, specialised in fields that range from cell biology to molecular biotechnology, form the core of the park. They develop independent research projects with commercial potential, such as new drug discoveries or molecular diagnosis. In addition, BIOCANT offers advanced research services for pharmaceutical, diagnostic, biotechnology, environmental and agriculture industries. The combination of BIOCANT’s own research, companies located on-site, and external research institutes and businesses drives technology and knowledge transfer and promotes innovation.
The individual companies and organisations located at BIOCANT also play an important role in the region’s profile as a biotechnology hotspot. Successful research programmes in Vine and Wine, Stem Cell-based therapies as well as in eco-friendly farming products and personalised medicine supported by regional funds provided the experience underpinning the ERDF’s recent shift of focus towards innovation. Furthermore, the success of BIOCANT led Portugal’s Biotechnology Industry Organisation, P-BIO, to move from Lisbon to the Centro region, making it the country’s centre of biotechnology.
“Biocant has had an absolutely central role in the scientific and economic growth of the region where it is located, and to some extent in Portugal as a whole. As President of P-BIO – Portugal’s Biotechnology Industry Organisation, I have been witness to the enormous impact Biocant has had on the sector, providing attractive conditions for start-up companies to thrive, and becoming a centre of reference for innovation and entrepreneurship. Biocant has undoubtedly made Portugal a better place to start a biotechnology company.”
Nuno Arantes e Oliveira, President of P-BIO, CEO of Coimbra Genomics (a company in the park’s business incubator)Total investment and EU funding
Total investment for the project “BIOCANT Technology Park” is EUR 12 000 000 with the EU’s European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) contributing EUR 9 000 000 through the “Centro” Operational Programme for the 2007-2013 programming period.