The Local Health Unit (ULS) Amadora-Sintra announced the signing last Friday of a Memorandum of Understanding with the Gulbenkian Institute of Molecular Medicine Foundation (GIMM) to establish a new unit.
An official from ULS Amadora-Sintra stated via email that the new unit is expected to commence its operations “in the second half of 2026, following a technical evaluation phase and operational model definition over the next six months.”
This collaboration marks a significant step toward bridging excellent biomedical research with everyday clinical practice, aiming to translate scientific knowledge into solutions that benefit patients directly, promoting more efficient, equitable, and evidence-based healthcare.
The research will focus on “clinical areas with the greatest potential impact on public health, particularly oncology, among others, considering the patient profile assessed by ULS Amadora-Sintra,” the official added.
“Priorities will be set in line with the hospital’s needs and based on the scientific knowledge generated by GIMM, supported by genomic, proteomic, bioimaging platforms, and a next-generation biobank, facilitating the integration of clinical data and accelerating the translation of research into clinical practice,” they noted.
The new unit will incorporate specialized teams in clinical trial management, as ULS Amadora-Sintra expects this model to “attract new international clinical trials to the country and expedite the introduction of innovative therapies and technologies into the National Health Service (SNS).”
Carlos Sá, Chairman of the Board of Directors of ULS Amadora-Sintra, stated that research “offers patients emerging therapies not yet accessible to the general population,” emphasizing that the partnership will allow “external resources to be channeled, investment in equipment, and specialized training to be promoted, creating a virtuous cycle of institutional growth and professional qualification.”
“Integrating research into clinical practice enhances the institution’s appeal to doctors, nurses, and other professionals aspiring to careers where clinical practice is closely linked with the generation of knowledge,” he continued.
Fausto Lopo de Carvalho, Executive Administrator of the GIMM Foundation, commented that alongside being a healthcare provider, the sector “should also be an engine of innovation and economic growth,” and this partnership between public and private sector institutions aims to ensure that science and the SNS work closely together, generating clinical knowledge with a direct impact on people’s lives and the country’s development.”
This partnership “further significantly strengthens the strategic pillar of the GIMM Foundation dedicated to clinical research,” he added.
