New research and treatment center for cancer, neuroscience opens in Portugal

New science research center opens in Portugal

LISBON, Portugal — Portugal’s president has opened a new cancer and neuroscience research center in Lisbon that aims to be among the world’s best.

Head of state Anibal Cavaco Silva on Tuesday inaugurated the high-tech facility, featuring treatment wards and research labs, which was built by the local Champalimaud Foundation.

The foundation began work four years ago after a euro500 million ($688 million) bequest from Antonio Champalimaud, one of Portugal’s wealthiest businessmen.

It is courting top international scientists to work in the Portuguese capital.

The foundation also awards an annual $1.3 million (euro945,000) prize for advances in eyesight research which claims to be the largest monetary prize in the field of vision and one of the biggest scientific prizes in the world.