28/05/2010 (Agence Europe) - On Thursday 27 May, the European Investment Bank announced it was providing a first tranche of €25 million - out of a €50 million approved loan - to Bial, the leading independent pharmaceutical company in Portugal, for the financing of its research and development activities. The loan will be dedicated to research and development activities on drugs for epilepsy, cardiovascular affections and Parkinson's disease in the 2010-2013 period.