Russia and Cuba have agreed to jointly develop a cancer vaccine under a new memorandum of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation in oncology, biotechnology, and pharmaceutical research.
The agreement was unveiled during a business dialogue on the sidelines of the 2026 St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), where officials emphasised the strengthening scientific and healthcare partnership between the two nations.
Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said the memorandum formalizes collaborative efforts to create an oncology vaccine, marking a significant step forward in bilateral medical cooperation.
According to Chernyshenko, Russia has supplied Cuba with hundreds of pharmaceutical substances over the past year, helping to boost the island nation’s medical manufacturing capacity and support ongoing healthcare initiatives.
Joint research projects involving Russian and Cuban medical institutions are currently focused on cancer treatment, innovative therapies, and biosimilar medicines designed to target specific types of tumors.
Preliminary studies involving monoclonal antibody-based treatments have produced encouraging results, showing potential for the treatment of cancers such as melanoma and lymphoma.
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Officials noted that the agreement is expected to expand cooperation in clinical research and biotechnology, reflecting the growing global push for international partnerships in cancer treatment and medical innovation.
