PURPOSE OF THE CALL

The Technology Innovation Agency (TIA), located in Pretoria, South Africa, and BioCubaFarma (BCF), located in Havana, Cuba, are jointly calling for Expressions of Interest (EOI) from entities in South Africa for Technology Transfer, Joint Development and Joint Ventures on the development of biotech products between SA and Cuba. This initiative aims to foster global technology transfer and cross-border commercialisation.

BACKGROUND

A bilateral agreement signed between South Africa and Cuba has given rise to joint research and development projects in the health sector. In July 2025, a Framework Agreement joint cooperation in the biotechnology sector was signed between TIA and BioCubaFarma.

The need for this partnership of TIA and BioCubaFarma was established to provide financial and non-financial support for bringing products to the market and BioCubaFarma bears testament to the intention of being a global industry participant, with both organizations strategically positioned to achieve this goal.

This partnership will ensure transparency of Cuban technologies available for technology transfer, joint product development, and commercialisation as part of the Multilateral initiative for combating neurodegenerative diseases like Parkinson’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, Dementia, lung cancer and Alzheimer’s Disease between South Africa and Cuba.

OBJECTIVE

The goal is to internationalize promising South African and Cuban biotechnology products and bring them to market through joint ventures and partnerships through co-development projects proposed by BioCubaFarma, attached in this call, and through Technology Transfer Projects.

SCOPE

This EOI is open to organizations with capabilities in biotechnology, clinical research, diagnostics, and therapeutic development. These include Research Institutions, Universities or Biotech Companies from each country that will co-develop projects and participate in technology transfer initiatives.