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

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