The NOVA National School of Public Health (NOVA NSPH) hosted the conference Innovation in Healthcare: Drug Discovery & Clinical Trials – a UK-Portugal Dialogue, organised by the UK Embassy in Lisbon and the Agency for Clinical Research and Biomedical Innovation (AICIB). The meeting brought together experts, researchers and policymakers to discuss the latest advances in drug discovery and clinical trials, as well as the opportunities for cooperation between Portugal and the UK in this area.
At the closing session, the dean of NOVA NSPH, Sónia Dias, emphasised the importance of international collaboration to boost innovation in health. “We believe that science and education are at the centre of progress. Our School has played a key role in training professionals who lead change, contribute to policymaking and help build more resilient, effective and equitable health systems,” she said.
Throughout the morning, topics such as new technological approaches to drug discovery, the regulatory challenges of clinical trials and the impact of partnerships between academia, industry and policymakers on transforming the sector were debated. The event was attended by renowned experts and representatives of key institutions in the field of biomedical research.
The UK and Portugal have a history of collaboration in science and health, and this event strengthened ties between the two countries, promoting new opportunities for joint research and the development of innovative solutions to global public health challenges.
In her speech, Sónia Dias also emphasised NOVA NSPH’s commitment to training health leaders and transferring knowledge to society. “Universities play a critical role not only in generating knowledge, but in ensuring that research translates into real impact. The ability to link scientific discovery with practical application is what drives real transformation in healthcare,” she emphasised.
NOVA NSPH is internationally recognised for its work in public health and leads several global projects, including with the World Health Organization (WHO), with two collaborating centres, one in Patient Safety and the other in Health Management. With this initiative, the School is reaffirming its position as a centre of excellence in public health research and training, contributing to the development of more effective and sustainable health systems at a global level.
