Brazil’s biodiversity, widely recognized as one of the richest in the world, offers a window of opportunity for innovative health solutions. A recent example that illustrates this potential is a study conducted by the State University of Rio de Janeiro (UERJ), which revealed promising properties of the açaà seed in combating obesity and diabetes. The research indicated that the extract of this byproduct can reduce weight gain, improve glucose and insulin levels, and reduce the accumulation of fat in the liver in animal models.
This advance highlights the country’s scientific capacity and the vast potential of our biodiversity to meet global public health demands. However, there is a major obstacle: the high costs of clinical research. Transforming these results into a viable product requires millions in investment, far beyond the capacity of a researcher, a university or even a single funding agency. These costs, combined with the risks inherent in developing innovations, often lead industries to decline projects like this.
Furthermore, it is essential to consider the impact of these discoveries on the creation of new economic paradigms based on the bioeconomy. The development of products from natural by-products not only adds value to local production chains, but also promotes the inclusion of traditional and rural communities in innovation systems. However, without infrastructure, clear regulation and robust incentives, this integration between biotechnology and the economy becomes an even greater challenge.
A Scenario of Opportunities and Challenges
The richness of Brazil’s biodiversity is an unparalleled competitive advantage. Brazil is home to approximately 20% of the world’s known species, many of which are still scientifically unexplored. However, transforming this wealth into innovative and accessible products requires stronger integration between academia, industry and government.
COP30, scheduled for 2025, is a unique opportunity for Brazil to demonstrate to the world how it can combine environmental preservation and economic transformation. The event highlights Brazil's responsibility to preserve the Amazon rainforest and creates a global showcase for initiatives that connect biodiversity and innovation.
Studies such as the one on the açaà seed are just the tip of the iceberg. The potential of other native species is also being explored, such as andiroba and cupuaçu, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, respectively. In addition, Brazil's rich terrestrial and aquatic fauna offers a vast field for the discovery of toxins and poisons with therapeutic applications, such as analgesics and treatments for chronic diseases. Microorganisms present in biomes such as the Amazon are also a promising source of bioactive compounds, with potential for the development of antibiotics and other innovative pharmaceutical solutions.
Despite all this potential wealth, advancing this research depends on overcoming logistical and financial challenges. For example, the lack of structured production chains for transforming these resources on an industrial scale limits the scope of innovations. We also need to overcome cultural barriers in Brazilian business, which often views scientific development as a high risk or with uncertain returns. This mindset needs to be changed with initiatives that educate and encourage the private sector to take a greater role in financing innovation.
A National Coalition as a Response
To begin to overcome these barriers, a plausible response could be to create a national coalition focused on exploiting biodiversity for health. This coalition would bring together government, industry, investors and research institutions in a joint effort to:
Promotion of Applied Research: Ensure that projects with practical potential receive financial and technical support to move forward.
Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs): Facilitate collaborations that share costs and risks across different sectors.
Tax and Regulatory Incentives: Create an environment favorable to innovation, with less bureaucracy and more incentives for companies that invest in R&D.
Education and Training: Promote training of specialized professionals to work in the bioeconomy.
Cutting-edge Infrastructure: Investing in our technology parks, laboratories and research networks that accelerate the transition from prototype to commercial production.
Recognition and Valuation of Research: Create award programs or funds to encourage innovative solutions based on national biodiversity.
Inclusion of Local Communities: Engage traditional communities in sustainable models of exploration, ensuring social and economic inclusion.
International Impact and Perspectives
Using biodiversity for health is not only an economic opportunity, but also an ethical imperative. Hosting COP30 in Brazil could be the perfect showcase to show the world how the country can lead through innovation and sustainability.
Brazil has the opportunity to lead not only because of its wealth of natural resources, but also because of its capacity to develop innovative solutions that can benefit global health. Initiatives such as the dengue vaccine developed by the Butantan Institute in partnership with USP exemplify how the combination of scientific capacity and institutional support can generate significant impact.
At the Brazilian Institute of Health Innovation - IBIS , we believe that the key to progress lies in the connection between research, innovation and social impact. We work to foster the health innovation ecosystem in Brazil, connecting researchers, industries and investors to create solutions that truly transform lives.
How can we, together, build a future where the richness of Brazil’s biodiversity translates into scientific and economic advances? Let’s continue this conversation and explore ways to transform Brazil into a global player in health. Join us!
by Marcio de Paula
Brazilian Institute of Innovation in Health - IBIS