Our History
1924
Foundation of BIAL by Álvaro Portela
1979
Luís Portela became president of BIAL (President and CEO)
1994
Establishment of BIAL Foundation
1998
- BIAL acquired Aristegui in Spain and founded BIAL Spain
- Medimport (Mozambique)
- BIAL obtained ISO9001 certification
2005
BIAL joined EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations)
2008
- BIAL (Ivory Coast)
- BIAL Latin America (Panama)
- BIAL Angola (Angola)
- Novipharma (Switzerland)
2010
BIAL acquired S.A.R.M Allergeni in Italy and founded BIAL Italy
2012
- BIAL’s Unit in Bilbao inaugurated by his R. H. the Prince of Asturias
- BIAL acquired a Business Unit of the Spanish company Juste
2014
Beginning of Eslicarbazepine Acetate’s commercialisation in the US
2016
European Commission approves Opicapone
2018
- Opicapone licensed for the Chinese and South Korean markets
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate licensed for the South Korean market
2021
- António Horta-Osório replaces Luís Portela as Chairman of BIAL
2023
- R&D Strategic expansion into new modalities & rare diseases
1962
António Emílio Portela became president of BIAL
1984
BIAL Award 1st edition
1992
Beginning of Research & Development Activities
1996
- Inauguration of BIAL’s facilities at S. Mamede do Coronado, Trofa.
- 1st patent application of Eslicarbazepine Acetate
2001
BIAL obtained ISO14001 certification
2007
- BIAL obtained 4457:2007 R&D certification
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate licensed for the US and Canada markets
2009
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate licensed for European markets
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate - 1st launch in the European market
- EMA approved Eslicarbazepine Acetate
2011
- BIAL obtained OHSAS 18001:2007 certification
- Luís Portela became Non Executive President and António Portela CEO of BIAL
2013
- Opicapone licensed for the Japanese market
- FDA approved Eslicarbazepine Acetate
2015
BIAL initiates business operations in Germany and UK
2017
- BIAL sells immunotherapy allergic area
- Opicapone licensed for the US and Canada markets
2020
- FDA approved Opicapone in the US
- Regulatory authorities in Japan, Taiwan and Australia approve Opicapone
- BIAL establishes a new affiliate in the US: BIAL Biotech Investments Inc.
2022
- BIAL inaugurates a new antibiotics production plant and expands its industrial area
2024
- BIAL sells Medimport
1924
Foundation of BIAL by Álvaro Portela
1962
António Emílio Pereira became president of BIAL
1979
Luís Portela became president of BIAL (President and CEO)
1984
BIAL Award 1st edition
1992
Beginning of Research & Development Activities
1994
Establishment of BIAL Foundation
1996
- Inauguration of BIAL’s facilities at S. Mamede do Coronado, Trofa.
- 1st patent application of Eslicarbazepine Acetate
1998
- BIAL acquired Aristegui in Spain and founded BIAL Spain
- Medimport (Mozambique)
- BIAL obtained ISO9001 certification
2001
BIAL otained ISO14001 certification
2005
BIAL joined EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations)
2007
- BIAL obtained 4457:2007 R&D certification
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate licensed for the US and Canada markets
2008
- BIAL (Ivory Coast)
- BIAL Latin America (Panama)
- BIAL Angola (Angola)
- Novipharma (Switzerland)
2009
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate licensed for European markets
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate - 1st launch in the European market
- EMA approved Eslicarbazepine Acetate
2010
BIAL acquired S.A.R.M Allergeni in Italy and founded BIAL Italy
2011
- BIAL obtained OHSAS 18001:2007 certification
- Luís Portela became Non Executive President and António Portela CEO of BIAL
2012
- BIAL’s Unit in Bilbao inaugurated by his R. H. the Prince of Asturias
- BIAL acquired a Business Unit of the Spanish company Juste
2013
- Opicapone licensed for the Japanese market
- FDA approved Eslicarbazepine Acetate
2014
Beginning of Eslicarbazepine Acetate’s commercialisation in the US
2015
BIAL initiates business operations in Germany and UK
2016
European Commission approves Opicapone
2017
- BIAL sells immunotherapy allergic area
- Opicapone licensed for the US and Canada markets
2018
- Opicapone licensed for the Chinese and South Korean markets
- Eslicarbazepine Acetate licensed for the South Korean market
2020
- FDA approved Opicapone in the US
- Regulatory authorities in Japan, Taiwan and Australia approve Opicapone
- BIAL establishes a new affiliate in the US: BIAL Biotech Investments Inc.
2021
- António Horta-Osório replaces Luís Portela as Chairman of BIAL
2022
- BIAL inaugurates a new antibiotics production plant and expands its industrial area
2023
- R&D Strategic expansion into new modalities & rare diseases
2024
- BIAL sells Medimport
