Health: ENEA and BioCubaFarma signs an agreement on biopharmaceuticals

ENEA and BioCubaFarma, a Cuban scientific and production group, have signed a memorandum of understanding that lays the foundations for new opportunities of joint development in the biopharmaceutical sector. The agreement was signed by the Ambassador of Cuba in Italy, José Carlos Rodríguez Ruiz, representing the President of BioCubaFarma Eduardo Martínez Diaz, and by the President of ENEA, Federico Testa.

The areas of cooperation will range from precision medicine to experimental oncology, the formulation of molecules for immunotherapy and genetic vaccines, diagnostic, prognostic and radio-exposure markers and vaccines for veterinary use.

"We have formalized this strategic agreement after some scientific exchanges and activities in the framework of specific experimental programs conducted with Cuban researchers," Carmela Marino, Head of the ENEA Division “Technology and Methodologies for Health Protection” said. "The cooperation concerns issues for which ENEA and BioCubaFarma can pool skills and knowledge in the field of omics, in vitro and in vivo models also for preclinical assessments and research infrastructures," Marino said.

The agreement is proof of an increasing interest in strengthening bilateral relations in the various sectors that affect the Cuban economy and its society, in line with the objectives of development Cuba is pursuing.

"For BioCubaFarma this agreement holds a special meaning, since it provides institutional support for ongoing scientific collaboration actions, allowing its potential growth and especially because the innovation-oriented academic / industrial collaboration creates the bases for the growth of research and development, for entrepreneurial initiatives and market access. The development of biomedical sciences in Italy and the Cuban experience in transforming biotechnology in a sector of the economy offer an opportunity to integrate the capacities created that could be profitable for both countries”, President of BioCubaFarma Eduardo Martínez Diaz pointed out.

"We are organizing a seminar, under the patronage of ENEA and BioCubaFarma, which should take place in the second half of this year with experts from both organizations submitting a portfolio of joint projects in emerging areas such as precision medicine, nanomedicine, immunotherapy against cancer and agricultural biotechnology ", the President of BioCubaFarma concluded.

For more information please contact:

Carmela Marino, ENEA – Head Division “Technologies and Methodologies for Health Protection” carmela.marino@enea.it