STRENGTHENING SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION BETWEEN VIETNAM ACADEMY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY AND BIOCUBAFARMA GROUP

14/05/2026

On the morning of April 23, 2026, Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) held a working session with BioCubaFarma Group. The event not only aimed to strengthen science and technology cooperation between the two sides, but also marked a new step in concretizing the strategic cooperation orientations between Vietnam and Cuba in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, and agriculture.

Attending the working session, on behalf of VAST, were Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai – President of VAST; Prof. Dr. Chu Hoang Ha – Vice President of VAST; together with representatives of the leadership of specialized units. On the Cuban side were H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes – Ambassador of Cuba to Vietnam; Dr. Santiago Dueñas Carrera – Vice President of BioCubaFarma Group; and members of the delegation.

Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai emphasized the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, built on the foundation of political trust and the long-standing bond between the two peoples

At the working session, Prof. Dr. Tran Hong Thai emphasized the special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, which has been built on the foundation of political trust and the long-standing bond between the two peoples. The President of VAST affirmed that cooperation in biotechnology and biomedicine not only serves healthcare objectives but is also associated with economic development and technology security in each country. He expressed the hope that cooperation would not stop at the transfer of technology from Cuba, but would move toward co-development, refinement of technologies, and the creation of value-added products in Vietnam, on the basis of leveraging the strengths of both sides: Cuba possesses a developed biopharmaceutical technology foundation, while Vietnam has abundant biological resources and strong application potential.

H.E. Rogelio Polanco Fuentes expressed confidence that the cooperation agreement would contribute to the socio-economic development of Cuba and Vietnam

Cuban Ambassador Rogelio Polanco Fuentes affirmed that biomedical technology is a strategic area of cooperation between the two countries, while expressing confidence that the cooperation programs would contribute to improving healthcare quality and promoting the socio-economic development of both nations.

Representing BioCubaFarma, Dr. Santiago Dueñas Carrera stated that the Group is currently implementing more than 400 research projects and producing over 1,000 high-tech product lines. The Genfarma joint venture in Vietnam is expected to become a center for research and development of products serving community healthcare.

Signing ceremony of the Cooperation Agreement between the Institute of Biology, the Institute of Chemistry, the Institute of Materials Science, and BioCubaFarma Group

One of the key highlights of the working session was the signing ceremony of the Cooperation Agreement between the Institute of Chemistry, the Institute of Biology, the Institute of Materials Science, and BioCubaFarma Group. This framework agreement aims to establish a basis for science and technology cooperation among the parties, providing a basis for the implementation of joint research and development programs. Cooperative activities will focus on the formulation and implementation of research projects aimed at creating innovative products and technologies to meet the development needs of each country.

In his concluding remarks, the President of VAST reaffirmed the commitment to promoting practical and effective cooperation, while expressing the expectation that specific projects involving the direct participation of scientists from both countries would soon be implemented.

Translated by Phuong Ha
Link to Vietnamese version