Pasteur Institute of Iran and Cuba’s Finlay Institute of Vaccines Strengthen Vaccine and Biotechnology Collaboration
A delegation from Cuba's Finlay Institute of Vaccines (IFV), including Professor Vicente Verez, the Director-General and Dr. Yury Valdés, its Deputy Director visited Iran from May 24 to 29, 2025, at the invitation of the Pasteur Institute of Iran. The visit aimed to enhance bilateral cooperation in vaccine development and biotechnology. Discussions centered on advancing joint projects, including the production of pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCV) and updated COVID-19 vaccines. Both sides explored opportunities to expand collaboration, particularly in mRNA vaccine technology, and agreed to form specialized working groups to oversee regulatory approvals, clinical studies, and technology transfer. The visit included high-level meetings with Iranian health officials, who praised Cuba's role in past collaborations, such as the Hepatitis B vaccine technology transfer. The two institutes also discussed financial mechanisms for joint projects and potential exports of Iranian vaccine products to Cuba.