Iran and Cuba Strengthen Partnership with Collaborative Vaccine Production Efforts

In a significant step towards enhancing medical and scientific cooperation, Ali Jafarian, the senior advisor to Iran’s health minister, met with Tania Margarita Cruz Hernandez, Cuba’s Acting Minister of Public Health. This meeting, held on Wednesday, focused on expanding the collaboration between Iran and Cuba, particularly in the fields of vaccine production and biotechnology.

The discussions centered on following up on previously established agreements aimed at promoting scientific and technical collaborations. A key aspect was the cooperation with the Pasteur Institute to facilitate the transfer of pneumococcal vaccine production technology from Cuba’s Finlay Institute of Vaccines. The officials also explored the potential manufacturing capabilities for this important vaccine.

In addition to Hernandez, Jafarian engaged with various Cuban officials, including:

• Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs
• Deputy Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment
• Head and Director General of Cuba’s Center for State Control of Medicines and Medical Devices (CECMED)
• Directors of the Finlay Institute of Vaccines
• Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB)
• Group of Biotechnology and Pharmaceutical Industries in Cuba (BioCubaFarma)
• Cuban Center of Molecular Immunology (CIM)
• Hermanos Ameijeiras, the largest hospital in Cuba

The roots of medical collaboration between Iran and Cuba extend back over three decades, beginning with the transfer of technology for hepatitis B vaccine production from Cuba’s CIGB to Iran’s Pasteur Institute. Recently, the two nations successfully collaborated to develop a COVID-19 vaccine known as PastoCovac, and the technology transfer for pneumococcal vaccine production is currently in progress.

The Iran-Cuba Joint Commission, chaired by Iran’s Ministry of Health and Medical Education, is preparing for its 19th meeting, which is anticipated to take place in Cuba soon.

Joint Biotechnology and Vaccine Production Projects

In May, Cuban Ambassador to Tehran, Jorge Fernando Nicolás, met with Alireza Biglari, the Iranian Deputy Health Minister for International Affairs, to discuss the continuation of joint initiatives, particularly in biotechnology and vaccine production. This meeting occurred during the Iran Expo 2025, held from April 28 to May 2 at Tehran’s International Permanent Fairgrounds.

A delegation from Cuba, led by the Ambassador, also met with key representatives from the Pasteur Institute of Iran, the Food and Drug Organization, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Trade Promotion Organization. Biglari described the successful collaboration between Iran and Cuba as a model for international scientific interactions.

Cuba stands out as one of the Latin American countries with the highest level of cooperation with Iran across various sectors, especially in healthcare. Jafarian noted in January that both countries have greatly benefited from advanced technologies in Cuba, particularly in developing vaccines for hepatitis and PastoCovac.

During the recent meeting, Mohammad-Hossein Niknam, the former Deputy Health Minister for International Affairs, underscored the significance of the joint meeting, especially concerning the economic and political sectors, following a 10-year agreement reached last year. He stated:

“So far, besides the main document, seven other documents related to organizations have been finalized, and four more documents are being reviewed. Also, a list of joint projects in the health sector has been prepared.”

Representatives from various stakeholder organizations presented their insights and considerations regarding their respective documents during the meeting. The importance of following up on agreements formed by the private sector during the Havana International Exhibition in 2024 was also highlighted.

Key issues discussed included:

• The exchange of business delegations
• Development of financial models tailored to the needs of the Cuban market
• Opening a credit line to support private sector activities

This ongoing collaboration between Iran and Cuba not only strengthens their bilateral relations but also contributes to advancements in global health through shared innovations and technologies.

As the nations work together, the potential for groundbreaking developments in the field of medicine and biotechnology continues to grow, paving the way for a healthier future for both countries.