Russia and Cuba to jointly develop cancer vaccine under new scientific cooperation agreement

Russia and Cuba are set to advance joint medical research with the planned development of a cancer vaccine, following the announcement of a new memorandum of understanding aimed at strengthening cooperation in oncology and pharmaceutical innovation, reports Crónica Digital, a TV BRICS partner.

The agreement was confirmed during a business dialogue held on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) 2026, where senior officials outlined expanding scientific ties between the two countries.

According to Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko, the upcoming memorandum will formalise joint work on the development of an oncology vaccine, marking a new stage in bilateral healthcare collaboration.

He noted that over the past year Russia has supplied hundreds of pharmaceutical substances to Cuba, supporting its medical manufacturing capacity and strengthening existing cooperation in the healthcare sector.

Scientific collaboration between Russian and Cuban medical institutions has already included joint research programmes focused on cancer treatment. These initiatives involve the development of new therapeutic approaches, including biosimilar medicines designed to target specific types of tumours.

Researchers have reported encouraging results from studies involving monoclonal antibody-based therapies, which are being tested for their effectiveness in treating conditions such as melanoma and lymphoma.

The memorandum is expected to deepen cooperation in biotechnology and clinical research, reflecting a broader trend of expanding international partnerships in the field of cancer treatment and medical innovation.