23-04-2026
In the photograph, the project team from right to left: Ana Rita Duarte, Rita Maurício, Juliana Monteiro, José Júlio Alferes, Paula Videira, Eurico Cabrita, and Ana Luísa Fernando. Photo: João Lima/NOVA FCT
NOVA School of Science and Technology of NOVA University Lisbon (NOVA FCT), in partnership with Leiden University and Leiden University Medical Center (The Netherlands), will lead the creation of the NOVA INSTITUTE FOR A SUSTAINABLE FUTURE (NOVA_i4SF), a Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Human and Environmental Health for a Sustainable Future. This is a flagship project, with a total investment of around €30 million founded by the European Commission and the Portuguese Government, positioning Portugal at the forefront of European innovation in sustainable health.
NOVA_i4SF emerges as a direct response to one of today’s most pressing challenges: the impact of pharmaceuticals on health and the enviornment. Pharmaceutical substances are now widely detected in water, soil, and food systems, with increasing effects on ecosystems and public health. Despite political recognition of this problem at an European level, a structural gap remains: the lack of integrated approaches that incorporate sustainability from the earliest stages of drug development.
“By integrating sustainability criteria from the early stages of research, the NOVA_i4SF Centre of Excellence will make it possible to reduce the environmental impact of pharmaceuticals without compromising their effectiveness. This project clearly positions Portugal within the European landscape, contributing to a more integrated and responsible approach in the pharmaceutical sector,” said Eurico Cabrita, Vice-Dean for Innovation and Research at NOVA FCT.
“This distinction recognises the scientific excellence of NOVA FCT and its international and national partners. The project will also contribute to the structural transformation of the national scientific and innovation system, promoting stronger integration between science, industry, and public policy,” added José Júlio Alferes, NOVA FCT Dean.
The project was designed by a multidisciplinary team of researchers from the School: Eurico Cabrita (Vice-Dean for Innovation and Research at NOVA FCT and researcher at UCIBIO – Applied Molecular Biosciences Unit), Paula Videira (Coordinator of UCIBIO), Rita Maurício (researcher at MARE – Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre), Ana Rita Duarte (researcher at LAQV/REQUIMTE – Associated Laboratory for Green Chemistry), Ana Luísa Fernando (researcher at METRICS – Centre for Mechanical Engineering and Resource Sustainability), and Juliana Monteiro (Head of Innovation, Research and Corporate Relations Services at NOVA FCT).
A new paradigm in the pharmaceutical industry
Pharmaceutical pollution poses a serious threat to ecosystems and human health, exacerbated by emissions and waste from this industry. NOVA_i4SF aims to transform this model by introducing an innovative approach based on the concept of “sustainability-by-design”, in which sustainability shifts from a late regulatory requirement to a guiding principle from the outset.
This approach will enable the development of greener active pharmaceutical ingredients, more efficient and less resource-intensive production processes, the integration of environmental criteria into molecular design and therapeutic validation, and the anticipation of environmental impacts through advanced modelling and artificial intelligence.
NOVA_i4SF will be the first Centre of Excellence in Europe to systematically integrate human and environmental health dimensions throughout the entire life cycle of medicines, adopting an approach aligned with the One Health concept. It will combine advanced expertise in green chemistry, biotechnology, environmental sciences, precision medicine, data science, and artificial intelligence. This integration will enable the development of next-generation pharmaceutical solutions that are more effective, safer, and more sustainable.
Training a new generation of scientists
One of the NOVA_i4SF pillars will be advanced training, aimed at preparing a new generation of researchers capable of working at the interface of health, environment, and innovation. The Centre will develop interdisciplinary training programmes combining pharmaceutical sciences, environmental sustainability, data science, and regulation and public policy. This approach will help increase Portugal’s international attractiveness and strengthen the retention of highly qualified talent.
By integrating human health, environmental sustainability, and technological innovation, NOVA_i4SF proposes a transformative vision for the future of healthcare systems and the pharmaceutical industry. More than addressing current challenges, the Centre aims to anticipate and shape future solutions, contributing to a healthier, more sustainable, and resilient society.
The approval of NOVA_i4SF places Portugal among a select group of countries capable of leading Centres of Excellence of European scale. It aims to become a global leader in the design, production, and dissemination of greener and safer pharmaceutical solutions, driving innovation and competitive growth while benefiting society, the environment, and the European Research Area.
