Beijing, May 18 (RHC)-- Cuba and China have expanded their biotechnology cooperation with the signing of another memorandum of understanding for the opening of new joint ventures in the field of biotechnology.

This is the second agreement of its kind signed this week between the two nations. It involves BioCubaFarma business group, the Chinese State Development and Investment Corporation (SDIC) and Sino-Pharma company.

Eduardo Martinez, president of the Cuban firm, and Shi Hongxiang, vice president of SDIC, signed the document at the island's embassy in Beijing.

Martinez said that the document is a starting point to take cooperative relations in the biotechnology sector to a higher step. Its essence is to explore several new Cuban models and medicines, in order to create joint ventures in both nations that will increase production and distribution levels in the Chinese, Latin America and other markets, he said.

The list includes Heberprot and PPG. The first one with proven efficacy to prevent amputations due to diabetic foot ulcer and the second one to reduce blood cholesterol levels, among other positive effects.

The Cuban side said it also includes also drugs to treat heart attack, different types of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer and Parkinson.

BioCubaFarma had signed a similar agreement on Tuesday in Beijing with Chinese firm Guang Xi Fukang Investment.   Under both agreements, joint ventures to be opened in Cuba will be based at the Mariel Special Development Zone, west of Havana.