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Jantar Tertúlia | Antonio Portela (CEO BIAL) | How to scale from Portugal to global markets: challenges, decisions and lessons
by
Tue, Jul 21, 2026
7:30 PM – 11 PM (GMT+1)
La Mafia se Sienta a la Mesa
Avenida Duque de Avila 66B, Lisboa 1050-066, Portugal
16
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Details
Dinner: 30€ per person
Conversation in Portuguese or English
Dress Business Casual
Food Provided (Dinner)
Where
La Mafia se Sienta a la Mesa
Avenida Duque de Avila 66B, Lisboa 1050-066, Portugal
Speakers
Antonio Portela
CEO
Bial
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ant%C3%B3nio-portela-3bb8a43/
António Portela holds a degree in Economics from the Faculty of Economics of the University of Porto and an Executive MBA from Porto Business School. He began his professional career at the pharmaceutical company Roche in the United Kingdom, where he worked as a Medical Sales Representative and market analyst. During his time at Roche, he was also involved in the launch of a Hepatitis C medicine before returning to Portugal to join Bial.
In 2004, he joined Bial’s team as Deputy Marketing Director for Portugal. A member of the Board of Directors since 2007, he went on to serve for three years as General Director of the International Area, where he was responsible for business expansion, BIAL’s entry into new countries, and the coordination of international product launches.
In January 2011, he assumed the role of CEO, marking the arrival of the fourth generation of the family at the helm of the company, which was founded in 1924 by his great-grandfather, Álvaro Portela.
Among the external positions he currently holds are:
- President of the Coordinating Council for Higher Education (since October 2023)
- President of the General Council of COTEC Portugal (since May 2022)
- Bial’s representative at the Business Roundtable Portugal Association (since May 2021)
- Member of the Founders’ Council of Serralves (since May 2021)
- Trustee of the University of Porto Foundation (since December 2018)
- Member of the Board of Directors of EFPIA (European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations) (since June 2017)
António is married and has three children. A former elite competitive swimmer, he was National Champion on several occasions. He continues to compete in swimming today in the Masters category. His free time is devoted to family, water-related activities, and reading.