Biotechs are transforming large market segments connected to global challenges, and Brazil is poised to become the leading biotech power in Latin America. This is shown by the new study of... Endeavora global organization supporting high-impact entrepreneurship, in partnership with Please provide the Portuguese text you would like translated. "Emerge" is a verb, and needs context to be translated accurately.Based on data from 135 founders, 94 companies, and interviews with over 30 experts, Brazil Biotech Report Presents data and analysis on the future of biotech companies in the country and marks the start of the sector's participation in the portfolio of companies supported and selected by Endeavor.
The study lists the conditions that will allow Brazil to be a leader in the segment: it is the largest VC market in Latin America, with the largest scientific production hub, and also the most biodiverse country in the world, ranking third in food production, and also boasting a strong public health system.
"The ecosystem has already weathered several technological waves, with Brazilian examples that are global references, such as Nubank, 99, and VTEX. We are now entering a wave of frontier technologies that are transforming large market segments connected to global challenges — and Brazil has comparative advantages that position it to be a leader in the region and globally," explains Maria Fernanda Musa, Director of Business Acceleration at Endeavor Brazil.
Opportunities and Challenges of Biotech Companies
The Brazil Biotech Report categorizes sector startups into four main segments:
- Food Production – Biotech companies developing new food alternatives, such as plant-based proteins and cultured meat. There's no context for "Cellva." To translate it accurately, I need to know what "Cellva" *refers to*. Is it a company name, a product, a concept, a location? Please provide more information.For example, it is cited as the first Brazilian biotech to integrate a European incubator focused on ingredient technologies.
- Agricultural Production Chain – Startups that make agricultural production more efficient and sustainable. A highlight is... Galythat developed a high-quality cotton without the environmental impacts of natural fibers.
- Life Sciences (Human and Animal) Solutions for disease diagnosis, treatment, and prevention. Please provide the text you would like translated. "gen-t" on its own is not a complete sentence or phrase, and I need the context to provide an accurate translation.For example, it is creating the largest and most diverse genetic bank in Latin America.
- Chemical Inputs and Materials – Sustainable production of bioplastics, industrial enzymes, and bioenergy.
Timing and capital challenges in the ecosystem
The report further highlights that biotech companies face unique challenges, primarily due to the high scientific risk and the need for significant investments before commercialization. These companies require a more robust capital structure, given the lengthy testing period: "The evolution of a biotech doesn't follow the same 'prototype' model as a digital app; any mistake is fatal. We're talking about one to two years for sectors like agriculture and seven years for human health biotechs to reach the market. But the wait is rewarding – those that succeed have significant growth potential," explains Maria Fernanda.
In Brazil, government support is essential in the initial stages, but startups need to attract private capital to scale. The study points out a lack of specialized investors, but not necessarily capital – fintechs, for example, receive 11 times more investment than biotechsAnd yet, the country receives 60% of all biotech capital in Latin America.
The report also highlights the importance of Brazilian biotech companies establishing a global presence from the outset to access markets, technologies, and clients. This is because internationalized companies attract more investment, and most that have achieved Series A and B funding have operations outside Brazil. On the other hand, only 12% of Brazilian-founded biotechs currently operate in other locations.
The role of academia and the profile of the scientist-entrepreneur
The leadership profile of biotech companies was also analyzed: over 541 companies are led exclusively by academics, 151 exclusively by market entrepreneurs, and 311 with a mix of profiles in C-level positions. Women, in particular, tend to have a stronger academic background. The report emphasizes that success in the sector requires a balance between scientific knowledge and market skills – companies led by mixed teams have shown greater fundraising volumes, especially in seed and Series A valuations. However, companies led by academics have achieved higher Series B valuations. The data aligns with international trends – technical founders of deep tech companies tend to attract higher investment.
It is also observed that Brazil has a highly productive scientific community, but the conversion of this research volume into businesses is still limited. The country ranks 5th globally in publications in the areas of biociences and agro, but only 9th globally in the number of biotech companies founded, according to research by Ernst & Young (EY). This places it behind, for example, the United States, France, and Spain. Therefore, it is important to make Brazilian universities more entrepreneurial, bringing researchers closer to the market and strengthening international collaboration between universities.