Cuban leader praises work of joint venture with China (+Photos)

Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Jorge Luis Perdomo praised the work carried out by Biotech Pharma (BPL), a joint venture with China in biotechnology, and expressed confidence that they will achieve greater results with their future projections.

During a visit to the company’s facilities in Beijing, the leader indicated that this is one of the most important projects of the collaboration between the two countries and enjoys the full support of the Caribbean nation.

The center manufactures and markets the humanized monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab, Cuban-made, used to treat nasopharyngeal cancer.

Perdomo predicted the success of BPL’s development, investment and growth plans, emphasizing its great potential in consolidating the achievements registered since its opening in 2005 and many more accomplishments expected in the future.

He added that he discussed the company’s good work in his recent meetings with China National Development and Reform Commission, Chairman Zheng Shanjie, and National Health Commission Vice Chairman, Zeng Yixin.

The president of BPL, Bai Xianhong, updated the Cuban vice prime minister on the progress of the joint venture, the expansion objectives in medium and short terms, as well as the research underway to use Nimotuzumab in the treatment of other types of cancers.

In this regard, Mayda Mauri, first vice-president of BioCubaFarma, told Prensa Latina that apart from its success, Biotech has made a very significant contribution to health care in both countries, especially during the Covid-19 pandemic.

He reminded that the company supplied the island with Nimotuzumab and thanks to this collaboration, the production facilities of the Molecular Immunology Center could be dedicated to the production of the Soberana vaccine.

He welcomed the expansion initiatives and the studies on the new indications of the monoclonal antibody, which is highly recognized by the international scientific community.

Likewise, Mauri valued as satisfactory the operations of the other two Cuban-Chinese joint ventures and of the scientific laboratories opened as part of the cooperation in biotechnology.