President of Bolivia visits the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology

HAVANA, Cuba, Dec 15 (ACN) Bolivian president Luis Arce paid a visit this Wednesday morning to the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), in this capital, where he learned about the development of Cuban biotechnology and its scientific institutions.

Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of the BioCubaFarma Business Group, explained to Arce that the entity, through its different companies, carries out the cycle of research, development and commercialization of products.

He stressed that they maintain scientific cooperation and a broad academic exchange with several nations, in addition to the fact that technology transfer has been guaranteed and the facilities comply with good manufacturing practices.

In the presence of Mayda Mauri and Eulogio Pimentel, vice presidents of BioCubaFarma, as well as directors of several companies, he also referred to the creation of the CIGB-Mariel Biotechnological Industrial Complex and the facilities they have abroad in countries such as Spain, Thailand and China.

He also spoke about the link with the national health system in the detection of diseases and in the production of medicines and vaccines that make up the national immunization program.

He mentioned among CIGB's innovative products HeberFERON, Heberprot-P and the Cuban vaccine against Hepatitis B (Heberbiovac-HB). He also explained the research that the different BioCubaFarma companies are developing for the treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases.

Regarding the COVID-19 pandemic, the executive pointed out the drugs that make up the national action protocol and the five vaccine candidates, three of which have been authorized for emergency use by the Cuban regulatory authority.

Likewise, the Bolivian president was interested in the training of professionals, immunotherapy to treat cancer and the treatment with Heberprot-P.

President Arce arrived this Monday, December 13, in Cuba at the head of a delegation to participate in the XX Summit of the Bolivarian Alliance of the Peoples of Our America - Peoples' Trade Treaty, on the occasion of the 17th anniversary of the creation of the mechanism of political agreement to be celebrated this Tuesday.

The distinguished visitor will hold official talks today with the President of the Republic, Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, and other high-ranking government leaders.