Brazil's Health Ministry promotes innovation agenda at BIO International Convention in San Diego

The BIO International Convention 2026 was held in San Diego, United States, from June 22 to 25, attracting more than 21,000 scientists, investors and leaders. Brazil's Ministry of Health was represented by Eduardo Jorge Valadares Oliveira, deputy secretary of the Secretariat of Science, Technology and Innovation in Health (SCTIE). He presented Brazil's priorities for the public health system (SUS), including the structuring of a health industrial complex, the role of Productive Development Partnerships and the launch of strategic programs aimed at reducing high‑cost drug expenses, improving access to treatments for rare diseases and accelerating technological transformation.

Oliveira highlighted lessons from the Covid‑19 pandemic, stressing the need for national production capacity and technological autonomy. Brazil also took part in a B20 panel on financing innovation access, framing health not merely as a social expense but as a strategic driver of economic development, job creation and productivity. He noted that a third of skilled workers are employed in the health sector and that 25% of R&D investment targets health technologies. The discussion also covered budgeting rules from the Federal Court of Accounts requiring approved budgets for new health products before incorporation into SUS, in line with fiscal responsibility legislation.