Development of the Cuban Biotechnology: A study case published in the Journal of Commercial Biotechnology

Habana, February 25. The Journal of Commercial Biotechnology, a leading publication in the fields of the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industry has published an article written by Cuban scientists from several institutions of the Western Havana Bio-Cluster. The article starts with an overview of the most significant and visible educational and health advances in Cuba. The paper continues explaining the milestones from the national campaign against illiteracy up to the creation of the Western Havana Bio-Cluster as a set of fifty tow research institutions working to solve health and economic challenges.

An outline of the major research centres of the Western Havana Bio-Cluster summarising the research focuses and products of the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Finlay Institute, Centre for Molecular Immunology, National Centre for Scientific Research, National Centre for Neurosciences, National Centre for Bio reagents, Tropical Medicines Institute, National Centre for Laboratory Animals Production and Centre for Immunoassay was included in the paper. The Cuban Biotechnology strategy is described as a balanced combination of Government Investment, Skilled Professionals, Integration, Collaboration, Spin off companies and Competitivity.

The product pipeline, project portfolio and business models are described in the article published in January 2003. An extensive product pipeline has been built by the Cuban Biotechnology Institutions, with medicine approvals for commercialisation in over fifty-five countries, mainly in Latin America, East Europe and Asia. Unique R&D projects, with a strong Intellectual Property position, is the main feature of the Cuban Biotechnology projects portfolio. Flexible business structures have been achieved in commercial agreements with Financial Organizations, Medium and Small Pharmaceutical and Biotechnology Companies and with Multinational Pharmaceutical Companies.