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News / Jul 03, 2017

Diane Villax receives Scientific Merit Medal

National Science and Technology Meeting, Science 2017, in Lisbon, Portugal

Diane Villax Award Scientific Merit Medal | Hovione

Diane Villax, Founder Chairman, received the Scientific Merit Medal, from the Portuguese Minister of Science, Technology and Higher Education of Portugal, Manuel Heitor, at the opening session of the National Science and Technology Meeting, Science 2017, in Lisbon, Portugal.

The scientific merit medal rewards national or foreign individuals who, due to their outstanding professional qualities and the fulfillment of their duties, have made a valuable and exceptional contribution to the development of science or scientific culture in Portugal.

«It is for me a great honour to represent Hovione on this occasion and to see that our original project has continued and grown and is today recognized at the highest levels. I would like to share and dedicate this moment to my family and to all of Hovione’s Team Members, and especially to the memory of my husband Ivan, who 58 years ago was a visionary and believed that it was possible to create in Portugal an innovative, research-based company» said Diane Villax after the ceremony.

 

Watch Diane Villax interview (in Portuguese):

Diane Villax receives Scientific Merit Medal Video | Hovione
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VbtkaTJqSzs

 

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Every year, the largest bank in Portugal, Caixa Geral de Depósitos recognizes some of Portugal’s brightest young minds through the Caixa +Mundo Awards, providing nearly €800,000 in scholarships to students as they pursue higher education. In this year´s edition, Caixa named the award bestowed upon students pursuing science for Diane Villax. This prestigious honor places Diane Villax among the award’s namesakes – a distinguished group of prominent personalities who have made notable contributions to Portugal´s socio-economic, cultural, political and scientific development over the last 50 years, such as António Ramalho Eanes, Mário Soares, José Saramago, Sophia de Mello Breyner, Leonor Beleza, Elvira Fortunato, Rui Nabeiro, Américo Amorim, and José Manuel de Mello. Diane Villax will also honor the seven scientific award winners by personally meeting with each of them, and following their journeys as future innovators and leaders. But this honor is about far more than one individual. It is a celebration of an entire organization and the people behind it. For 67 years, generations of dedicated teams have worked together with passion, purpose, and excellence to manufacture life-saving medicines and advance science that has a real impact on people. This recognition belongs to all of us.    

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