Iran’s vice president visits Cuba’s vaccine institute, biotechnology center

Iran’s Vice President for Science, Technology and Knowledge-based Economy Rouhollah Dehghani visited Cuba’s Finlay Vaccine Institute and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research on Friday.

Dehghani, who is in the Cuban capital Havana to take part in the G77+China Summit, held a joint meeting with the directors of the vaccine institute to help bolster Iran’s cooperation with the center in the transfer of technology and production of new vaccines.

The Iranian vice president and his entourage also took a tour of the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Research which specializes in biological and veterinary drugs, production of biotechnology products related to industry and agriculture, and also production of various vaccines.

In a meeting with the professional officials and directors of the research center, Dehghani called for its cooperation with two of Iran’s well-known centers, namely Pasteur Institute of Iran and Razi Vaccine and Serum Research Institute. 

Dehghani said, “Biotechnology has received special support from Iran’s Leader and president, and Iran now exports 100 million dollars of biotech drugs annually thanks to the investments made in this field.”

He noted there are ample grounds for Iran and Cuba to promote cooperation in biotechnology which can generate revenues that amount to hundreds of millions of dollars every year.