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Updated February 2004
Biological Facilities
Center of Molecular Immunology (Centro de Inmunología Molecular)
Other Names: CIM
Address: Calle 15 esq. 216, Siboney,
Playa, Ciudad de la Habana, Cuba
Location: West of Havana; part of the "Scientific Pole"
Website: http://www.cim.sid.cu/default_ing.asp (English version)
Phone Number: 53 (7) 2714335 and 53 (7) 2713357
Subordinate to: Council of State
Director: Agustin Lage (brother of Cuba's Vice-President, Carlos Lage)
Size: According to CIM's website, the Center of Molecular Immunology occupies 15,000 square meters of floor space in a two-story facility, with the production area taking up 1,100 square meters. The first floor consists of space for research, development, pharmacology, and toxicology, while the second floor contains the auxiliary technical services. The production area has a positive pressure air gradient system in order to protect the products it produces from contamination. Over 300 employees, mostly scientists and engineers, work at the center.
Primary Function: Vaccine and drug research including research on monoclonal antibodies, molecular biology, and cellular immunology.
History: Founded in 1994 as Havana's newest addition to the "Scientific Pole," CIM is also one of the smallest institutes in the group.
Description:
CIM is involved in both product research and development; the latter stems from the center's own research as well as contracts with other institutions. Currently, CIM is focused on cancer vaccine and drug research, in addition to the 16 products allegedly developed through the center. However, CIM is best known for protein research and the manufacture of recombinant erythropoietin (EPO). Agustin Lage has long emphasized the need for the integration of Cuba's biotechnology industry into the economy, as Cuban products attempt to compete in the world market; the CIMAB SA, a marketing arm for CIM, has been established specifically for this purpose.
CIM possesses "hollow fiber and stirred tank fermenters," which are used in upstream production, providing the center with an annual production capacity of "several kilograms" of purified recombinant proteins and monoclonal antibodies. The production system also includes "downstream production of injectable quality products," which combines ion exchange, affinity, and gel filtration chromatography, providing products with "high purity and biological activity."
The auxiliary technical system includes air handling and condition, production and distribution of water for injection, pure steam, medicinal gases, biowaste treatment, and "'cleaning in place' units for automatically cleaning large capacity culture media transfer piping and mobile tanks."
While visitors to the center have observed an eight-foot security wall around the facility, a noticeable military presence has not been reported.
Additional Information: The current cancer research at CIM is a joint project between the Cuban government and YM Biosciences Inc, an Ontario-based firm.
In August 2000, CIM joined the Center of International Science in China to form the biotechnology company Baitai Biopharmaceutical Corporation, which will use genetic engineering to produce monoclonal antibodies for the treatment and diagnosis of cancer.
CIM has also entered into a joint agreement with Biocon India to produce local health-care products, following the completion of a new Indian facility.
Key Sources: Center of Molecular Immunology, <http://www.cim.sld.cu/default_ing.asp>; Patricia Grogg, "New hope in fight against cancer," Inter Press Service, 11 March 2002; "Trade fair focuses on new biotechnological achievements," Granma Internacional (internet version), 15 December 1999, in British Broadcasting Company, 18 December 1999; Goa Pei, "First Sino-Cuban biotechnology joint venture lays foundation for its plant in Beijing," Xinhua Domestic Service, 26 September 2002, in "China, Cuba establish 1st biotechnology joint venture in Beijing," FBIS CPP200209260000204, 26 September 2002; Glenn Baker (ed.), Cuban biotechnology: A first-hand report, Washington, DC: Center for Defense Information, 20 May 2003; Anil Urs, "Indian bio cos look to Cuban tech for growth," The Economic Times (Internet version), New Delhi, 15 July 2003, in "Indian firms eye Cuban biotechnology products," FBIS SAP20030715000070, 15 July 2003.
This
material is produced independently for NTI by the James Martin Center for
Nonproliferation Studies at the Monterey Institute of International Studies and
does not necessarily reflect the opinions of and has not been independently
verified by NTI or its directors, officers, employees, agents. Copyright © 2008
by MIIS.
