On 18 June, Unidade Local de Saúde do Alentejo Central (ULSAC), GIMM, and University of Évora co-organised a workshop dedicated to the development of clinical research in Évora. The initiative brought together healthcare professionals, researchers, and institutional partners to reflect on the challenges, needs, and opportunities for the growth of this activity in the region.

The workshop aimed to promote strategic reflection on the future of clinical research in Évora, aligning current needs, future ambitions, and opportunities for collaboration between ULSAC, the University of Évora, and GIMM.

During the morning session, aimed at healthcare professionals, presentations covered the current state of clinical research at ULSAC, the results of a survey on the institution’s scientific output, and examples of studies carried out by its professionals. The programme also included a presentation on GIMM CARE and the partnership under development with ULSAC and the University of Évora, delivered by Cláudia Faria, Director of GIMM CARE.

“Clinical research is an essential tool for improving healthcare, enabling patients to access new therapies at an early stage. This workshop aimed to promote dialogue between different stakeholders in the health ecosystem, share experiences, and identify opportunities to strengthen research and innovation in the region. The partnership between GIMM CARE, ULS Alentejo Central, and the University of Évora aims to develop a clinical research ecosystem that enhances local talent, creates new research opportunities, and promotes patient-centred innovation”, said Cláudia Faria, Director of GIMM CARE.

One of the central moments of the workshop was the contribution of Xavier Cañas, Director of Commercial and Contracted Clinical Research at the Vall d’Hebron Institut of Research (VHIR), who shared the experience of the Spanish centre and the journey undertaken over the past decade to consolidate a reference clinical research structure.

Throughout the day, the main challenges and opportunities for the development of clinical research in the region were discussed. A diagnosis carried out by GIMM was also presented, characterising the academic and research capabilities of ULSAC’s healthcare professionals and identifying priority areas for strengthening scientific activity.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to deepen the discussion on the potential of the partnership between ULSAC, the University of Évora, and GIMM, exploring ways to strengthen the region’s clinical research capacity and create new collaboration opportunities.

“For GIMM, this moment represents an important milestone in the consolidation of the strategic partnership with the Hospital de Évora and the University of Évora, as part of the initiative to create the GIMM CARE Évora clinical research hub. We believe that the upcoming inauguration of a new central hospital could have a transformative effect on the region, with enormous potential to create a strong biotechnology ecosystem in Évora”, said Fausto Lopo de Carvalho, Chief Financial and Operations Officer of GIMM.

This initiative represents a further step in building a joint strategy for the development of clinical research in Évora, grounded in collaboration between healthcare institutions, academia, and external partners, with the goal of promoting research excellence and contributing to a better response to the region’s health challenges.