Havana, Cuba: The CIGB-Mariel Biotechnological Industrial Complex, the most modern of its kind in Cuba, was inaugurated on Monday. Army General Raúl Castro Ruz and the President, Miguel Díaz-Canel, were in attendance, Radio Habana Cuba publishes.
Speaking at the ceremony, Diaz-Canel assured that the institution, the fruit of the collaboration between the BioCubaFarma Group and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), is the first high-tech industry located in the Mariel Special Development Zone (ZEDM), 45 kilometers west of Havana.
“The Complex will research, develop and produce vaccines and innovative medicines for the treatment of diseases that are the main health problems in Cuba and the world,” said the head of state.
He added that among its productions are treatments against cancer, diabetes, autoimmune and infectious diseases, cerebrovascular diseases, and Covid-19, among others.
For this purpose, the plant will develop drugs of national products such as the ‘Abdala’ vaccine, and the Jusvinza, Heberprot-P, and Heberferon drugs.
The President said that the center is considered one of the most advanced in the region.
For his part, Eduardo Martínez, President of the BioCubaFarma Group, added that the institution brings together the innovative thinking of the historic leader of the Revolution, Fidel Castro (1926-2016), with the support of the national authorities.
The inauguration of the CIGB-Mariel Biotechnological Industrial Complex coincided with the launching of the foreign investment of the Mariel Special Development Zone, a megaproject of vital importance for the country.
The initiative, located in the western province of Artemisa, has been promoting foreign direct investment since November 2013.