By María Josefina Arce
Cuba and China took new steps this week to continue deepening their cooperation in biotechnology, a branch of science in which the Caribbean nation exhibits remarkable achievements, despite the obstacles imposed by the U.S. economic, commercial and financial blockade.
In recent days, the two countries signed a technology transfer contract for the research, production and development of a drug designed for the treatment of different types of cancer.
A fundamental pillar of the relations between Havana and Beiying is the collaboration in the biotechnological and pharmaceutical fields for the benefit of both peoples.
According to the authorities of the two countries, cooperation is progressing at a good pace and the results of joint ventures in the development and production of antibodies, vaccines and novel drugs are palpable.
At present, the two countries manage three companies in Chinese territory that are in charge of five production plants, in which Cuban technology is present.
In the last 20 years, more than 30 joint projects have been undertaken, including those related to monoclonal antibodies and interferons, marketed in China and other countries.
Several Cuban biotechnological products are present in the Asian Giant, such as Nimotuzumab, for the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In fact, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Interferon Alpha 2B treatment was used in China to treat people infected by the virus.
The establishment of the China-Cuba Center for Joint Innovation in Biotechnology in the Yongzhou Economic and Technological Development Zone, the first of its kind in the area of scientific-technical collaboration, is also part of these advances.
Another example of the close ties in this scientific field is the inauguration in December last year of a joint international center and a laboratory on cancer diagnosis at the University of Science and Technology, in the city of Shanghai.
Bilateral collaboration also covers scientific research, innovation in neuroinformatics and neurovegetative diseases.
