Why Portugal?

Portugal has various health and clinical research infrastructures accredited for the development of clinical studies, ranging from Phase I to Phase IV. The sites are equipped with cutting-edge technology that enables the implementation of clinical studies and the development of daily clinical activities, laboratory analyses, and exams in different therapeutic areas. In many healthcare institutions, medical facilities are organized in a way that promotes a balance between clinical practice and clinical research.

A large number of these infrastructures have teams dedicated to Clinical Research Sites (CRCs) that follow good clinical practices and promote clinical studies initiated by the institution's investigators, while supporting the pharmaceutical industry in implementing its clinical studies. The clinical research teams are highly qualified and collaborate in European and global research networks with leading renowned researchers in their areas of expertise.

Oncology and neurology are two of the main areas of excellence where Portugal combines a unique value proposition of dynamic infrastructures, experienced researchers, and patient access for the implementation of clinical studies. 

With regard to oncology, there are specialised care sites in the main metropolitan areas (Coimbra, Lisbon, and Porto) and in regions with higher population density that promote the development of clinical research alongside healthcare delivery, enabling the identification of patients for participation in clinical studies. These specialised sites also have data management systems that support feasibility analyses for the execution of clinical studies and may eventually enable their use for specific studies, such as pragmatic clinical trials.

Additionally, there are rare diseases with a relatively high prevalence in our country, such as Paramyloidosis ("Feet Disease") and Machado-Joseph Disease, for which Portugal presents a uniquely valuable population for study.