South Africa - Cuba Biotechnology Collaboration Call (2025/2026)
The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), South Africa, and BioCubaFarma (BCF), Cuba, invite South African biotechnology companies, research institutions, universities, and healthcare innovators to express interest in collaborative R&D, technology transfer, and joint ventures for innovative biotech products. Enabled by a bilateral agreement and a newly signed Framework Agreement (July 2025), this call targets projects that advance biotech in health, particularly the development and commercialization of therapies for neurodegenerative and chronic diseases such as Parkinson’s, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, lung cancer, and Alzheimer’s Disease.
Key features include:
- Global technology transfer and bi-directional commercialization between SA and Cuba
- Product co-development for market readiness and access
- Opportunities to collaborate on Cuban-developed innovations, including placental histotherapy (skin diseases), ESTEP (drug-resistant epilepsy), Nimotuzumab (epithelial tumors), and NeuralCIM nasal EPO (dementia/Alzheimer’s)
Participating organizations must:
- Be based in South Africa (or Cuba) and demonstrate prior collaborative R&D capabilities
- Submit a comprehensive EOI package: CVs, ID documents (SA and Cuban participants), company profile, project proposal, cover letter, supporting technical documentation, and the completed questionnaire
- Show capacity for joint project management and readiness for cross-border innovation
Eligible entities include:
- Biotech companies
- Research institutions
- Universities
- Healthcare product innovators
This initiative is coordinated by TIA (an entity of South Africa's Department of Science, Technology and Innovation) to foster socioeconomic development through technology commercialization and global partnerships. Only EOIs sent to the specified email and submitted by the deadline will be considered.
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