Biotecnol was started in Portugal in late 1996 as a consultancy company. Between 1997 and 1999, Biotecnol had a virtual existence, having its laboratories at the Centre for Biological and Chemical Engineering (CEBQ) at the Instituto Superior Técnico (IST) and its head offices at Taguspark, the main Science & Technology Park in Portugal. At that time it provided some services and consultancy to Portuguese pharmaceutical companies, and also European biotech companies. Furthermore, several R&D grants, both from the Portuguese government and the European Commission, complemented the financing of the company activities. So between 1996 and 2000, Biotecnol was really a semi-virtual consultancy company, starting to develop its business.

 

In the year 2000 Biotecnol attracted its first investment and was able to begin activities independently of the CEBQ. This was Biotecnol’s real start-up and allowed Biotecnol to develop into the first pharmaceutical biotech research & development driven company in Portugal. With such investment, Biotecnol put its structure into place, invested in its technology, network, clients and people.

 

Additional financing followed in 2002, which allowed Biotecnol to start implementing its actual business model, and which also allowed the transition of Biotecnol from a "technology development" company to a "product development" company.

 

In 2004 Biotecnol started the development of a promising pipeline of products in the oncology field.  It further obtained granted patents on antibody engineering technology.

 

At the beginning of 2006, Biotecnol moved into its new fully integrated 800 m2 biologics development facilities and offices at Lagoas Park in Portugal. To complement a well-planned strategy, Biotecnol started its activity in the USA in 2008 by opening its subsidiary Biotecnol Pharmaceuticals Inc, in Durham, NC. The company plans to further expand its product development activities from the USA base.