The Institute of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine of NOVA University of Lisbon (IHMT NOVA), represented by its sub-director, Professor Doctor Miguel Viveiros, Farmanguinhos/Fiocruz, represented by its Director, Doctor Silvia Santos, and Wolbito do Brasil have signed a Memorandum of Understanding. This agreement aims to strengthen international and scientific cooperation relations between the institutions.
The protocol establishes a framework for collaboration in education, research, technological development, and health policies. Strategic axes include fostering innovation projects to combat vector-borne diseases within the scope of the “Global Coalition on Dengue,” promoting student and researcher mobility and training, creating channels for technical exchange, organizing scientific events, and disseminating practical results to the community through joint publications.
This strategic milestone consolidates the innovation ecosystem of the entities and coincides with the conclusion of the second edition of the joint international course “Dynamics of Innovation in Health and Social and Industrial Entrepreneurship.” The initiative, held between April and July 2026, involved 19 students from Portugal, Brazil, Angola, Mozambique, and Cabo Verde. Nine of these students are enrolled in the PhD program in Tropical Diseases and Global Health at IHMT NOVA.
Over four months of synchronous and asynchronous activities, students developed Technological-Product Developments (PTDs) focused on crucial areas for global health. The work included podcasts, video lectures, and articles on topics such as 3D printing of medicines, dengue control, digital transformation in the biopharmaceutical sector, and technological sovereignty in Africa.
Professor Doctor Henrique Silveira, coordinator of the course at IHMT NOVA, highlighted the practical and structuring impact of the project. “The experience once again proved to be extremely enriching and innovative, oriented towards promoting mobility, internationalization, and scientific collaboration, also strengthening the creation of knowledge networks in the Lusophone space,” he stated.
As a result of this Portuguese-Brazilian partnership, with technical support from Canal Saúde da Fiocruz, the multimedia materials developed by the students are publicly available on the Educare da Fiocruz platform.
A scientific article on the global patent landscape for diabetes medications has been submitted to the Brazilian Journal of Pharmaceutical Sciences, with the direct involvement of students and faculty from both institutions.
Participating students will have the opportunity to compete for 10 spots in the XV World Congress of Portuguese-Speaking Pharmacists, taking place from November 25 to 27 in Maputo, Mozambique. The event, themed “Together in Transforming Health,” will bring together professionals from the Lusophone space to foster cooperation and innovation in health systems.
