Curiosities

When celebrating 100 years, we remember several histories that belong to our history.

Get to know some interesting facts about BIAL here!

BIAL in advertising

September 11, 2024/by Triton Webmaster

BIAL’s name

In 1919, young Álvaro Portela – at the time working in the well-known Farmácia do Padrão – is said, later Farmácia do Padrão, is said to have suggested to Mr. Almeida (the owner) the set-up of a small industrial unit, with some machines, in order to better serve their customers. They then tried to register the new company as “Laboratórios Biol” (for Biology), but to no avail. Next came the idea to try BIAL - with "Bi", which is a prefix that means twice or two, and "al", which is a syllable repeated both in Álvaro and in Almeida. And that"s how BIAL came into being!
September 11, 2024/by Triton Webmaster

The first head office

BIAL's first headquarters were established in Porto, on what was then Rua de Heróis de Chaves (today Rua D. João IV), on the corner of Rua Fernandes Tomás. And from there it developed, moving in the early thirties to number 87 Travessa de Santa Catarina, then Rua João Oliveira Ramos, where it remained until the end of the sixties.
September 11, 2024/by Triton Webmaster

From Consul to Commander

Álvaro Portela was Colombia’s honorary consul and received an award for Industrial Merit from the President of Portugal in 1928. In 1946, he was honored as Commander of the Military Order of Christ, receiving the Commander of the Order of Industrial Merit award in 1949.
September 11, 2024/by Triton Webmaster

Commander and honoris causa

In 1992, Luís Portela was awarded the Commendation of the Order of Merit. He also received two other distinctions, both granted by the President of the Portuguese Republic: Grand Cross of the Order of Merit (2002) and Grand Cross of the Order of Public Instruction (2020).

Furthermore, in 1998, he received an honorary doctorate from the Faculty of Medicine of Cádiz (Spain). Receives three more honorary doctorates: University of Porto (2009), Faculty of Pharmacy of the University of Coimbra (2016) and Faculty of Medicine of the University of Lisbon (2021).
September 11, 2024/by Triton Webmaster

Port wine or Benzo-Diacol?

September 11, 2024/by Triton Webmaster

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BIAL is an innovative pharmaceutical company Dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing medicines. We are committed to improving overall quality of life.
Keeping life in mind.

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Copyright © 2026 – BIAL – Todos os direitos reservados

If you have any questions, fill the contacts form at bial.com

BIAL is an innovative pharmaceutical company Dedicated to discovering, developing and commercializing medicines. We are committed to improving overall quality of life.
Keeping life in mind.

Privacy Policy
Copyright © 2026 – BIAL – Todos os direitos reservados

If you have any questions, fill the contacts form at bial.com