Innovation Hub Pre-Clinical To Clinical

The Pre-Clinical-to-Clinical Innovation Hub (HubP2C) is an innovative platform of NOVA Medical School that aims to accelerate the transfer of scientific discoveries into healthcare solutions, from the pre-clinical stage to the clinical stage, reducing the time and risks of healthcare innovation.

By combining a biobank, pre-clinical and clinical infrastructures, quality and regulatory compliance, and a strong focus on innovation and value creation, HubP2C is unique in Portugal and positions Lisbon as a national and international reference hub in translational research.

The HubP2C is funded by the Lisbon Regional Programme 2030, under the Call LISBOA2030-2024-15, with a total budget of €3,288,108.76, of which 40% is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (FEDER). The remaining 60% of the operation is covered by NOVA Medical School’s own funds.

The HUBP2C

Objectives

SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES (3 years)

Accelerate the development of new therapies, diagnostics, and medical devices up to TRL5-6
Integrate Artificial Intelligence tools and data analysis into research
Strengthen good practices in quality and regulatory compliance
Foster collaboration among researchers, clinicians, industry, and start-ups
Promote knowledge transfer and value creation

LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES (6–10 years)

Become an international center of excellence in translational research
Develop and support start-ups and spin-offs in the health sector
Increase the number of patents, strategic partnerships, and collaborative projects
Contribute to economic growth and the improvement of public health

Targeted Audience

The HubP2C is intended for all stakeholders in the healthcare innovation ecosystem:

Researchers in biomedical and clinical sciences
Startups and SMEs in biotechnology, medical devices, and digital solutions
Pharmaceutical and medical device industries
Hospitals and healthcare institutions seeking to develop or validate new therapies
Regulatory bodies and innovation support entities

Expected Outcomes

Creation of an integrated and collaborative platform to accelerate healthcare innovation.
Increase in the number of scientific publications and projects with direct clinical impact.
Validation of new diagnostic and treatment technologies, with a higher success rate in entering the clinical phase.
Expansion of partnerships with hospitals, companies, and national and international research centers.
Support for startups and development of spin-offs, generating skilled employment and boosting the healthcare economy.
Enhancement of the scientific and technological capacity of the Lisbon region, strengthening knowledge-based economic competitiveness.

HubP2C Services

Advanced Infrastructures and Technologies

Access to the CHAIN Biobank, with high-quality biological samples and clinical data
In vitro models (2D, 3D, and organoids) and in vivo models for pre-clinical studies
Support for clinical trials through the NOVA Clinical Research Unit (NOVA CRU)

Quality and Regulatory Compliance

Consulting for Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) and Good Clinical Practices (GCP)
Support with regulatory documentation for pre-clinical and clinical studies
Preparation for international audits and certifications

Innovation and Knowledge Transfer

Support for intellectual property (IP), patent submission, and licensing
Mentoring for entrepreneurship and spin-offs
Incubation and acceleration programs for startups
Support in market analysis and valorization strategy

Networking and Collaboration

Connection with industrial partners, hospitals, and research centers
Organization of workshops, seminars, and advanced training programs
Creation of consortia for national and European projects

Impact in Society

The HubP2C aims to:

Accelerate citizens’ access to innovative therapies and safe, effective medical devices.
Reduce the time from research translation to clinical practice.
Contribute to the sustainability of the Portuguese National Health System by supporting cost-effective solutions.
Position the city of Lisbon, in Portugal, as a reference in translational medicine, increasing attractiveness for investment and scientific talent.