Recently, the RCOcean team embarked on a special field trip to Portugal focused on marine biological resources. The delegation visited the Azores Islands as well as key mainland cities including Lisbon and Porto, engaging with top academic institutions and leading enterprises. This initiative not only highlighted marine natural product development and innovative drug discovery but also provided a comprehensive survey of Portugal’s marine ecological protection, technology transfer, and industry development landscape—building a solid bridge for international cooperation in the field of ocean-based health and wellness.
First Stop: The Azores – Unlocking the Potential of Marine Resources in Extreme Environments
From July 14 to 16, the delegation’s first destination was the Azores, with key visits to the University of the Azores and Azores Life Science/Ignae. During discussions, Miguel Pombo, founder of Azores Life Science, shared in detail the unique diversity of algae and plant natural products in the Atlantic subtropical region, as well as the company’s established expertise in the exploration and utilization of marine biological resources.
Professor Duarte Toubarro and his team at the University of the Azores focused on the development of marine resources from extreme environments, showcasing the immense potential of novel microorganisms from hydrothermal vent ecosystems in peptide and small-molecule drug discovery.
Both sides engaged in in-depth discussions on new anti-inflammatory compounds unique to the Azores, exchanging views on industrial pathways for their application in cosmetic ingredients and functional nutraceuticals. Initial consensus was reached on cooperation in areas such as technology sharing and joint research and development, laying the groundwork for precise follow-up collaboration.
Mainland Portugal: Comprehensive Survey of the Marine Innovation Ecosystem
From July 16 to 22, the delegation continued its journey in mainland Portugal, conducting extensive research in Lisbon, Porto, and beyond. Academic visits included the Faculty of Sciences at the University of Lisbon, Instituto Piaget, CIIMAR (Interdisciplinary Centre of Marine and Environmental Research), Atlântico Business School, Universidade Católica Portuguesa, and more than ten other renowned institutions. Through thematic seminars and on-site visits, the team gained systematic insights into Portugal’s advances in marine ecological protection, efficient extraction processes for bioactive marine substances, and innovative marine drug discovery practices.
Among these, CIIMAR stood out as Portugal’s flagship marine research institute, leaving a particularly strong impression. Its mature strategies for the sustainable development of marine biological resources, interdisciplinary research teams, and mechanisms for industry–academia–research collaboration provide a high-quality model for efficient scientific knowledge transfer. The two sides held in-depth discussions on joint laboratory initiatives and technology sharing in marine bioactive substance R&D.
In the industry engagement sessions, the delegation visited leading marine health enterprises and innovation hubs, including HinnovaCare and FASTinov. Dialogues focused on practical issues such as technical bottlenecks in the industrialization of marine bioactives and international market access standards. Several companies expressed strong interest in pursuing technological cooperation and market expansion with RCOcean.
Building a Bridge for Long-Term Cooperation
Through a research model combining targeted site visits and broad ecosystem surveys, the RCOcean delegation identified the unique development potential of marine biological resources in the Azores while also gaining a comprehensive understanding of the technological strengths and industrial ecosystem of Portugal’s marine health sector.
The delegation emphasized that this trip marks a key milestone: RCOcean will integrate high-quality cooperation resources identified during the visit—particularly by deepening collaboration with CIIMAR and other leading institutions—and promote the establishment of long-term exchange mechanisms. The goal is to contribute to the sustainable development of marine biological resources and to foster international industrial cooperation in the marine health and wellness sector.
