Development of Cuban biotechnology

Abstract

The emergence and expansion of biotechnology in Cuba as a new branch of the economy provide a good example of the challenges faced by a high-technology sector which deserves analysis. There are already clearly visible results in this sector such as investment in the research and production infrastructure, a qualified workforce, high-quality research and good product pipelines in the Cuban health system coupled with a growing export capacity, supporting a positive cash flow. These advances have been aided by the integration of research-production organisations, state funding, social ownership, export orientation and the comprehensive integration of the Cuban biotechnology multi-institutional system. In the forthcoming years, the future development of this sector in Cuba should produce a more evident impact on the economy and Cuban society.

Small Scaffolds, Big Potential: Developing Miniature Proteins as Therapeutic Agents

“…As early as 1973, EGF was being investigated as a potential therapeutic to facilitate wound healing because of its ability to stimulate proliferation and migration of keratinocytes (Savage and Cohen, ). Treatment results in this area have generally been positive and recombinant EGF is now produced by several pharmaceutical companies as a therapeutic to enhance wound healing (Mola et al, ; Frew et al, ). Despite these successes however, the mitogenic effects associated with EGF have been implicated in the spread of epithelial malignancies and the majority of research devoted to EGF is focused on its detrimental effects (Velu et al, ; Lemoine et al, ; Navas et al, ).…”