Exploring Mental Health Initiatives at UBI Medical
Gabriel Malan has partnered with University Beira Interior Medical on a research project aimed at improving the lives of those suffering with depression.

Through Empowered Startups’ HQA Visa Program, entrepreneur Gabriel Malan has partnered with University Beira Interior Medical (UBI Medical) on a research project aimed at improving the lives of those suffering with depression. It is believed that approximately 280 million people worldwide live with depression, according to the World Health Organization. As alternative treatments to mental health disorders continue to demonstrate increased effectiveness, there is mounting support for psilocybin’s efficacy in treating depression.
Improving Outcomes
There is a growing evidence base for a therapeutic role of psilocybin and other psychedelics in refractory severe depression, with recent high quality clinical trials showing favorable effectiveness, particularly in severe depression in the general population and in oncology patients with a terminal diagnosis that have not responded to approved medications and psychotherapies.
Australia became the first country to approve the medical prescription of psilocybin in severe depression by psychiatrists and in controlled settings. Malan’s innovative project at UBI Medical seeks to determine pathways for the introduction of such treatment into both Portugal and the European Union, and where it can make the most immediate, positive impact on the population of those living with depression.
Valuable Production Insight
As the co-founder and CEO of a company that successfully invested in food and agricultural businesses, Malan has an extensive background in the perishable food and fresh food sectors. His experience in the sourcing and production of agricultural products will provide the project with valuable insight into psilocybin production as the trend of willingness to use psychotropics in the treatment of mental health disorders continues to grow.
Growing Investment in Portugal
Empowered Startups, the only government-endorsed delivery partner of the HQA Visa Program, has already delivered more than €5 million of foreign direct investment to Portugal. During a face-to-face meeting with Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro in June, Empowered revealed that it expects to facilitate over €50 million of foreign direct investment to the country over the next three years.
More information about the HQA Visa Program can be found on Empowered Startups’ website