Founded in 2008, by a group of 55 organizations, as a private nonprofit association, the Health Cluster Portugal (HCP) (www.healthportugal.com) is a national cluster which currently brings together over 130 members, including universities, R&D institutions, hospitals and companies in the areas of pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, medical devices, ICT and services, among others.

HCP assumes as its mission to strengthen the competitiveness of Portugal in the research, design, development, manufacturing and commercialization of health-related products and services, in selected market and technological niches, targeting the most demanding and relevant international markets, based on the recognition of its excellence, technological level and competences in the field of innovation.

The health sector is a prominent, fast-evolving sector in Portugal, which has experienced remarkable gains in terms of quality and competitiveness during the last couple of decades.

The pharmaceutical and medical device industries have grown above the country’s average in recent years, with a marked rise in the exports to countries such as Germany, Angola, France, UK, Spain, Belgium and USA. Portuguese companies have high standards of quality and are capable of developing, manufacturing and supplying a wide range of products and services, with high flexibility.

Another of the main assets of the Portuguese health sector is the quality of the R&D system, characterized by the presence of world-class institutions and scientists, in areas such as cancer, neurosciences, regenerative medicine and nanomedicine, as well as state- of-the-art core facilities and a highly-qualified workforce.

This is accompanied by a high-quality healthcare system, with excellent professionals and modernly equipped, which allowed Portugal to reach and maintain its high-standard health indicators.

Under the auspices of HCP, the Portuguese “health ecosystem” is developing innovative projects in areas such as translational research, ambient assisted living, active and healthy ageing, and health tourism. Universities, R&D institutions, hospitals and companies are all working together in the development of new solutions for improving human health. This climate, together with the competitiveness of costs and other broad context conditions, make Portugal an attractive destination for investing, for performing R&D and clinical trials, and for health tourism.