The Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF), an Associate Laboratory and research unit of the Faculty of Biotechnology at Universidade Católica Portuguesa, is part of the Regional Platform for Smart Specialisation (PREI) for Life and Health Sciences in the Northern Region.

The Bridges4Health initiative aims to strengthen collaboration between research institutions, the healthcare system, companies, and public entities, accelerating innovation and addressing healthcare challenges in the coming decades.

Structured around four strategic domains, namely Precision Medicine, Clinical Research, Biomedical Devices and Technologies, and Microbiome and Health, Bridges4Health seeks to promote collaborative projects that bring research closer to clinical practice, accelerate technology transfer, and foster the development of new products, services, and solutions capable of improving healthcare and citizens' quality of life.

"The Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry coordinates the Microbiome and Health domain and is responsible for several implementation actions within the project, highlighting the recognition of the scientific excellence and impact of the research carried out in the fields of biotechnology, microbiology, nutrition, and biomedical engineering," says Manuela Pintado, Director of the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry.

"This involvement reinforces our commitment to collaborative, interdisciplinary, and innovation-driven research, contributing to the development of solutions that promote health and improve citizens' quality of life," she adds.

Within the Microbiome and Health domain, researchers from the Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry will further investigate the role of the human microbiome in health and disease, promoting, together with the platform's partners, the development of innovative prevention, diagnostic, and therapeutic strategies, as well as clinical applications based on microbiome modulation.

"Scientific evidence demonstrates the impact of the microbiome on multiple diseases and therapeutic responses, making this field highly relevant for more effective and personalised healthcare," explains Manuela Pintado.

Bridges4Health is part of the Northern Region Smart Specialisation Strategy (S3 Norte 2027) and aims to map and strengthen the regional Life and Health Sciences ecosystem by defining investment priorities and promoting a collaborative strategy capable of driving the scientific, technological, economic, and social development of the region.

The Centre for Biotechnology and Fine Chemistry (CBQF/ESB/UCP) is one of the four partners of the Bridges4Health consortium, a platform coordinated by the Institute for Research and Innovation in Health of the University of Porto (i3S) and the Braga Academic Clinical Centre (2CA-Braga), in collaboration with the Applied Biomolecular Sciences Unit (UCIBIO) of the Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Porto.

The minister of Health, Ana Paula Martins, attended the working meeting dedicated to the Regional Platform for Smart Specialisation in Life and Health Sciences, PREI Bridges4Health, held on 30 June 2026 at the headquarters of CCDR NORTE in Porto.

The session brought together representatives from the 14 Local Health Units of the Northern Region, the Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), and the Executive Board of the National Health Service, in a meeting focused on strengthening cooperation between research, healthcare provision, business innovation, and regional development.