Our Projects
Labfit investigates and develops its own ideas, methodologies and technologies, articulating the value of basic research with the relevance of applied research. Our team specialized its R&D activity in the development of topical application products, in a disruptive strategy comparing to other available solutions in the market, focusing specifically on the response to the needs identified either by the core of the company or through the network of scientific advisors who support it.
In this sense, it has developed prototypes of genital application products, protected by patents, aiming its licensing to industrial partners.
Based on this R & D strategy, Labfit helps to bring new or clearly improved solutions to the market that promote the health and well-being of users.
Sustainable and Scalable Cosmetics Project
The Sustainable and Scalable Cosmetics project embodies a strategy for utilising thermal waters in value-added products (cosmetics) which, on the one hand, will be developed in accordance with the principles of sustainability and respect for environmental safety, including low-carbon supply chains (for ingredients and packaging); and, on the other hand, will be based on the implementation of a technological approach that enables the creation of chemical bases for products that are compatible and stable with thermal waters of different ionic charges, thereby ensuring economies of scale, as the bases will be common to customisable cosmetic products using thermal waters from different sources. This process allows for a reduction in the unit price of the product (joint procurement of raw materials for different spas) and, for some products, through the consolidation of the production process, as the thermal water will be added on-site at the spa to the concentrated formulations.
Women’s health: development and laboratory testing of innovative lubricants
The lube2conceive&beyond project aims to develop safe lubricants for couples of reproductive age and other specific populations, ensuring technological excellence and reproductive safety. The goals include: assessing the safety and efficacy of aromatic plants in relation to the vaginal microbiota; creating a lubricant base with proven safety and efficacy; developing three variants tailored to fertile couples, the LGBT+ community and women going through the menopause. Given the lack of official recommendations, natural and sustainable lubricants represent an innovative opportunity with great potential.
Strengthening capacity for integration into global value chains
HPRD, through its Labfit and Pharmapoli brands, is active in R&D, consultancy and the manufacture of pharmaceutical, cosmetic and medical products. The project aims to boost internationalization through trade fairs, conferences, market research, digital marketing, a multilingual website and the recruitment of professionals. The aim is to consolidate existing markets and expand into four new overseas markets.
HealthTech Portugal
HealthTech Portugal is a consortium formed by HealthTechLisboa and HPRD Lda, which aims to position itself as the driving force behind innovation and technological and digital development in the sector, helping SMEs and start-ups to become more competitive and to produce more high-quality products and services. This project plays a significant role in addressing the challenges of Digital Transformation, providing the crucial infrastructure to give participating SMEs and start-ups the opportunity to test and validate their solutions in the fields of healthcare, medical devices, health technology and cosmetics. Thus, this project provides services to enable SMEs and start-ups in the sector to scale up their business at a competitive cost, making their products and services commercially viable, and providing the necessary support to significantly increase the success rate in navigating the so-called ‘valley of death’.
Recycling from Agroindustrial Residues to Cosmetics Ingredients, based on an upcycling strategy
This project aims to recover waste from the agro-industry (cherry pits and stems) by using it as a cosmetic ingredient (natural exfoliating particles). Specifically, the project will focus on the collection of the aforementioned waste from the region’s food industry, which produces jams, its preparation and characterisation, the optimisation of the industrial process, and regulatory documentation. The project also envisages the development of two new exfoliating cosmetic products incorporating the particles developed. The results of the project will be disseminated and made available on the international market.
PAPILOMA
The main goal of this project is to develop a prototype vaginal gel for the treatment of low- and high-grade intraepithelial lesions caused by the human papillomavirus, thereby preventing their progression to cervical cancer.
SAIN
The SAIN project aims to explore the use of an innovative drug delivery platform, previously developed by the project leader’s team, as the basis for a segesterone acetate nasal spray for neuroprotection and recovery following a stroke.
Boosting Production: Training in Technology, Digital Skills and Marketing
HPRD’s overall aim with this project is to implement a series of strategic investments aimed at modernising and automating processes and enhancing the production unit’s capabilities at various levels. This will enable the company to eliminate or mitigate certain shortcomings that currently hinder business growth and, consequently, improve the speed of internal processes and procedures, management efficiency and the effectiveness of the results achieved. The operation to be carried out is designed to address a set of identified needs relating to the production of pharmaceutical products (cosmetics and medical devices), which must be met in order to enhance the company’s competitiveness in the domestic and international markets. The project comprises three activities encompassing various investments: (1) TECHNOLOGICAL PRODUCTION UPGRADING; (2) DIGITAL UPGRADING; and (3) MARKETING STRATEGY TRANSFORMATION.
THVM – THERMALVET
Development of a diverse line of innovative veterinary products based on a common key ingredient – the endogenous thermal water from Termas Monfortinho – whilst also utilising other endogenous resources (plant extracts), and applying technical and scientific expertise to the formulation process.
COVIDOUT – A spray to reduce the nasal transmission of coronavirus
CovidOUT is a safe, low-cost biocidal spray for use on face masks and the nose, which inactivates the SARS-CoV-2 virus. The product is intended for industrial production and is suitable for use on a global scale. Transmission of Covid-19 occurs via the nasal, oral and ocular mucous membranes and affects healthcare workers, despite the use of Personal Protective Equipment. CovidOUT is a simple, safe and low-cost biocide spray for application to masks and the nose, which inactivates the virus (by destabilising the envelope and the spike glycoproteins – responsible for cell adhesion and infection – and, additionally, through mechanisms that reduce viral replication). The product is intended for industrial production and is suitable for use on a global scale.
Internationalization Project
Through this investment project, Labfit – Health Products Research and Development Lda plans to enter four new markets, namely Spain, the Netherlands, Thailand and Malaysia. Labfit has defined this investment project with a view to initiating its internationalisation process and meeting, amongst others, the following objectives: (i) to remain at the technological forefront of its sector; (ii) to expand, in a coherent, robust and timely manner, the range of services it provides, either individually or in partnership; (iii) to ensure the continuous updating of its team’s knowledge; (iv) to monitor and control its international competition in order to guarantee a position of non-inferiority and, wherever possible, competitiveness; and (iv) to internationalise by leveraging its activity and, to that extent, its turnover, profitability and the international reputation of its brand (Labfit).
Project INOVEP
Over recent years, the pharmaceutical and chemical industries have struggled with the difficulty of creating new therapeutic or bioactive compounds that can be used safely and effectively. Plants, which were initially the main source of active compounds, are now once again seen as an interesting way of identifying and isolating new active molecules.
COOP4PAM
BIO-ALL
BIO-ALL ambition is to accelerate knowledge and competences to boost efficient innovation and entrepreneurial processes in the BIOHEALTH sector, fostering co-creation and collaborative dynamics between and within relevant actors of the ecosystem.
DREAM
AS1411 has been used as a drug delivery system and has cellular internalization and anticancer activity by interfering with NCL oncogenic functions. Clinical trials of AS1411 have indicated that it is well tolerated with evidence of therapeutic activity, but improved pharmacology and potency may be required for optimal efficacy. Since G-rich regions have been found in HPVs (LCR, E1, E4 regions) such potential anticancer/ antiviral ligands may be a promising new therapeutic strategy against HPV infection.
