Following the interview with Rui Lopes Campos, we are now publishing the second installment of this series dedicated to the Keynote Speakers of the [event name]. FCCN 2026 Conferencethis time with Antonio Murta.
Founder, Managing Partner & CEO of Pathena, António Murta has developed a career linked to investment in technology, innovation and life sciences, supporting projects with high potential impact. His intervention, scheduled for the morning of May 6thamong the 9:40 AM and 10:05 AMwith the session "The bridge between research and business – examples from the field of Medical AI"It will have a particular focus on the impact of the relationship between research, innovation, and artificial intelligence in the field of health and medical practice.
In his participation, António Murta will seek to launch a A reflection on the balance between fundamental and applied research.In their view, both should be valued, emphasizing that "It is necessary to defend fundamental research, but also applied research."In this sense, he warns that too often "applied science is treated as less important," something he considers inappropriate given the strategic role it plays.
The speaker also hopes to raise awareness within the academic and scientific community about the importance of applying knowledge, advocating for "greater awareness from the community” to the contribution of applied science in sustained differentiation, in the competitiveness of companies and in strengthening the research institutes themselves.
At a time marked by the launch of the new AI² – Agency for Research and Innovation –, António Murta will focus part of his intervention on the challenges that still exist between scientific production, innovation and the market. In particular, he intends to address "the gaps we have in the value chain", as well as concrete ways to overcome them and the strategic importance of these points for the national innovation ecosystem.
Artificial intelligence will be another central theme of the keynote. For António Murta, "there is a before and after what we are experiencing," given the scale and scope of the new tools currently available. He also believes that "in Medicine there is no area of specialization that is not being strongly affected by Classical AI and GenAI," from clinical triage to pathology, including medical imaging, diagnosis and continuing medical training, including areas such as surgery.
According to the official, this transformation is equally visible in the biotechnology and pharmaceutical industry value chain, with expected effects both on reducing the costs of developing new drugs and on creating more efficient medicine. As he states, "we will be able to better combine" a more scalable and more personalized approach.
