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Updated August 2008
Biological Chronology
2004-2007
Except for general knowledge items, this annotated chronology is based on the data provided by the source identified for each entry. Public sources often provide conflicting information on classified military programs. In some cases we are unable to resolve these discrepancies, in others we have deliberately refrained from doing so to highlight the potential influence of false or misleading information as it appeared at the time. In many cases, we are unable to independently verify claims. Hence in reviewing this chronology, readers should take into account the credibility of the sources employed here.
Inclusion in this chronology does not necessarily indicate that a particular development is of direct or indirect proliferation significance. Thus, some entries provide international or domestic context for technological development and national policymaking, while others report on happenings that may have indirect effects on proliferation or nonproliferation.
24 January 2004
Cuba researchers are developing a new generation of anti-cancer therapeutic agents that they hope to market in Europe by 2008. The Carlos J. Finlay Institute and the GlaxoSmithKline Corporation has entered into an agreement for the purpose of introducing these products into the Western market. Further, the Pedro Kouri Institute of Tropical Medicine currently is developing a new cholera vaccine. It also is competing against Western companies to develop the first vaccine against AIDS.
— "Chronicle on Cuba - January 2004: Domestic Affairs," Cuba Source, January 2004, <http://www.cubasource.org>; Tom Fawthrop, "Cuba ailing? Not its biotech industry," Straits Times, 26 January 2004, <http://havanajournal.com/culture/entry/cuba_ailing_not_its_biotech_industry/>.
26 January 2004
Cimab S.A., which commercializes the Molecular Immunology Center's products, has several joint ventures, including in China and India.
— "Cuban Biotech Firm CIMAB S.A. Increases Exports," Havana Journal, 26 January 2004, <http://havanajournal.com/culture_comments/1300_0_3_0_C/>.
3 February 2004
Scientists from China and Cuba participate in a conference on biotechnological advances that begins today in Beijing. Topics for discussion include Cuba's projects to develop products to fight cancer and HIV/AIDS.
— "Chronicle on Cuba - February 2004: Economy," Cuba Source, February 2004, <http://www.cubasource.org/publications/chronicles/coc200402ec_e.asp>.
6 February 2004
At a China-Cuba conference on biotechnological advances in Beijing, China announces that it is interested in introducing certain techniques developed by Cuba into its public health system. Also, a joint enterprise between the two countries will manufacture and market in China the H-R3 humanized monoclonal antibody for the treatment of brain and neck tumors.
— Lilliam Riera, "China to manufacture Cuban anti-cancer medicament," Granma International Online Edition, 6 February 2004, <http://granmai.cubaweb.com/ingles/2004/febrero/vier6/china.html>.
23 February 2004
Cuban research institutions and the Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) sign five agreements for carrying out collaborative biotechnology projects. One of them specifies that the USM and Cuba's International Center of Neurological Restoration will research stem cells and neural cells.
— Marina Emmanuel, "Cuba to help boost Malaysia biotech efforts," Business Times, 23 February 2004, <http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P1-91389117.html>.
2 March 2004
While visiting Cuba, Eshagh Yahanguiari, Iran's Minister of Industries and Mines, states that Iran is interested cooperating with Cuba in the medical and biotechnology fields.
— "Chronicle on Cuba - March 2004: Economy," Cuba Source, March 2004, <http://www.cubasource.org/publications/chronicles/coc200403ec_e.asp>.
7 March 2004
U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton in a written statement to the House Committee on International Relations states that problems with intelligence reporting on Cuba's alleged WMD program were the fault of Ana Belen Montes, the Defense Intelligence Agency's senior Cuba analyst, who was convicted of spying for Cuba in 2002. David Isenberg, a British American Security Information Council WMD analyst, which describes itself as "a progressive and independent analysis and advocacy organization," tells the UPI that Bolton has little evidence to support his accusation.
— Krishnadev Calamur, "U.S. knew of Cuba bioweapons effort," Washington Times, 7 March 2004, <http://www.cubanet.org/CNews/y04/apr04/08e7.htm>.
15 March 2004
The Bangalore based Biocon Ltd. in cooperation with Cimab SA, a Cuban pharmaceutical firm, will contract a facility in Bangalore, India, to produce biotechnology products based on monoclonal antibodies.
— "Chronicle on Cuba - March 2004: Economy," Cuba Source, March 2004, <http://www.cubasource.org/publications/chronicles/coc200403ec_e.asp>.
29 March 2004
Cuban scientists publish approximately 35% of their scientific articles in important U.S. journals; 225 articles by Cubans were published in 2003.
— Raisa Pages, "Cuba publishes 35% of its scientific articles in U.S. magazines," Granma International Online Edition, 29 March 2004, <http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/marzo/lun29/13cenic-i.html>.
31 March 2004
In testimony before the House International Relations Committee, U.S. Undersecretary of State for Arms Control and International Security John Bolton reiterates many of the same allegations he raised in 6 May 2002 about Cuba's supposed bioweapons research and development program.
— Nancy San Martin, "Cuba a bioweapons 'threat,' U.S. says," Miami Herald, 31 March 2004, <http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/cuba/8316400.htm?1c>.
7 April 2004
The Cuban enterprise CIMAB Ltd. is selling its biotechnology products in 14 Latin American, Middle Eastern, and Asian countries. These products include anti-cancer vaccines and monoclonal antibodies. Cimab Ltd. also is pursuing joint pharmaceutical production ventures with China and India. Other Cuban enterprises are claimed to be negotiating 40 additional contracts with businesses in other countries.
— "Chronicle on Cuba - April 2004: Economy," Cuba Source, April 2004, <http://www.cubasource.org/publications/chronicles/coc200404ec_e.asp>.
17 May 2004
Pham Gia Khiem, Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, tells L.H. Martinez, General Director of the Cuban Genetics and Biotechnology Center, who is visiting in Hanoi, that Vietnam wants to enhance cooperation between their two countries in the fields of genetics and biotechnology.
— "Vietnam Seeks Cuban Bio-Tech Cooperation," Financial Times Information, 17 May 2004.
30 May 2004
Cuba has "signed nearly 10 memoranda of understanding (MoU) with local universities in Malaysia to produce human vaccines and collaborated with Malaysian companies to produce 'halal' meningitis vaccines for pilgrims bound for Saudi Arabia to perform the Haj." [Halal means pork-free.]
— "Cuba's Biotechnology Success a Showcase to the World," Malaysian National News Agency, 30 May 2004.
2 July 2004
A Congressional Research Service report states that the WMD threat from Cuba largely is based on its dual-use biotechnology capabilities. It further states that U.S. intelligence reports have mixed opinions on Cuba's suspected biological weapons program.
— Sharon Squassoni, "Globalizing Cooperative Threat Reduction: A Survey of Options," Congressional Research Service, Library of Congress, 2 July 2004, <http://www.fas.org/spp/starwars/crs/RL32359.pdf>.
17 July 2004
With U.S. federal approval, the Molecular Immunology Center (CIM) and the CancerVax Corporation of California sign a biotechnology technology transfer agreement in Havana in the presence of Fidel Castro for the cooperative production and testing of an anti-lung cancer vaccine. This is the first such commercial agreement between a Cuban and U.S. entity in more than 40 years. CancerVax agrees to pay the CIM $2 million per year for three years and to develop the drug at its Carlsbad laboratory. In the U.S. lung cancer causes more than a half a million deaths per year.
— Paul Elias, “CancerVax and Cuban biotech deal allowed by US,” Havana Journal, 17 July 2004, <http://havanajournal.com/culture/entry/cancervax_and_cuban_biotech_deal_allowed_by_us/>.
23 July 2004
Cuban scientists describe the large scale synthesis, pharmaceutical development, and clinical evaluation of a conjugate vaccine composed of a synthetic capsular polysaccharide antigen of Hemophilus influenzae Type b. The study demonstrates that it is feasible to develop synthetic-based vaccines and provides a foundation for further development and research. If such a vaccine were to be developed, it may lead to the establishment of new synthetic vaccines industry in Cuba.
— V. Verez-Bencomo, V. Fernandez-Santana, Eugenio Hardy et al, "A synthetic conjugate polysaccharide vaccine against Haemophilus infuenzae Type b," Science, Vol. 305, 23 July 2004, pp 522-525; Jocelyn Kaiser, "Synthetic vaccine is a sweet victory for Cuban Science," Science, Vol. 305, 23 July 2004, pg 460.
18 September 2004
The Bush administration, using stricter standards in evaluating intelligence information is no longer certain that Cuba has a biological weapons program. However, the U.S. intelligence community "continues to believe that Cuba has the technical capability to pursue some aspects of an offensive biological weapons program."
— Steven R. Wiesman, "In Stricter Study, U.S. Scales Back Claim on Cuba Arms," New York Times, 18 September 2004, <http://www.nytimes.com/2004/09/18/international/americas/18intel.html>; "US recants biological weapons claim," Latinnews Daily, 20 September 2004; Pablo Bachelet, "U.S. uncertain about a Cuba weapons program," Miami Herald, 21 September 2004, <http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/cuba/9717414.htm?1c>.
October
Cuba claims to be exporting its biotechnology products to “more than 50 countries.”
— ACAN-EFE (Panama City), “Cuba Says It Exports Biotechnology to More Than 50 Countries,” 13 October 2004.
8 October 2004
U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell is quoted saying; "[Fidel Castro] is not the kind of threat he was [to the U.S.] when he had the Soviet Union backing him.''
— Warren P. Strobel, "Castro still a problem, Powell says," Miami Herald, 8 October 2004, <http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/news/world/cuba/9864385.htm>.
10 November 2004
The Center for Defense Information (CDI) has sponsored visits to Cuba of three groups of experts during 2002-2004 to learn about the Cuban biotechnology sector. The most recent visit took place in October 2004. The Cuban government has shown itself to be open about allowing these types of visits to scientific centers although the duration of each visit is short. The CDI groups have found that Cuba possesses an advanced vaccine and pharmaceutical industry that is performing R&D consistent with the nation's health care policy. None of the visits revealed any signs of illicit use of biotechnology.
— Glenn Baker, "Cuban Biotech: Open Doors Build Confidence," Center for Defense Information, 10 November 2004, <http://www.cdi.org/friendlyversion/printversion.cfm?documentID=2617#_ftn2>.
10 October 2004
One of the CDI experts reveals that Cuba possesses one high-containment (Biosafety Level 3) laboratory, which is located at the Laboratorios DAVIH (DAVIHLAB) on the campus of CENSA, and is operated by the National Command for Civil Defense under the Ministry of the Armed Forces. This facility was established in 1996 to support the work of a civil-defense command special group whose mission was to identify exotic pathogens responsible for unusual outbreaks of human, animal, and plant disease on the island. Other activities at DAVIHLAB, which had been visited by a CDI group, include HIV research and the development of AIDS diagnostic tools.
— Jonathan B. Tucker, “Assessing the U.S. Bioweapons Allegations Against Cuba,” World Security Institute, 10 January 2005, <http://www.wsicubaproject.org/cubanbiotech_05.cfm#_ftn1>.
15-16 November 2004
The PIR Center for Policy Studies in Russia, together with the Institute for International Relation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Cuba (Instituto Superior de Relaciones Internacionales), held an international seminar during 15-16 November 2004 titled International Security, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Nonproliferation: Problems and Challenges. This was the first Russian-Cuban academic meeting since the beginning of the 1990s. The goals of the workshop included discussing the new challenges to the nonproliferation regimes and the balance between proliferation concerns and technology and scientific development.
— "International Security, Weapons of Mass Destruction and Nonproliferation: Problems and Challenges," PIR Center, 15-16 November 2004, <http://www.pircenter.org/cuba2004/eng/index.html>.
10 December 2004
Batches of a therapeutic vaccine against lung cancer that will undergo clinical trials in the United States will be manufactured at new plant constructed at the CIGB.
— Lilliam Riera, "Cuban vaccine against lung cancer: Clinical trial to begin in U.S. in 2005," Granma International Online Edition, 10 December 2004, <http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2004/diciembre/vier10/51canvax.html>
December 2004
Despite the United States embargo, Cuba has become a global leader in pharmaceutical research and production.
— Douglas Starr, "The Cuban Biotech Revolution," Wired Magazine, Issue 12.12, December 2004, <http://www.wired.com/wired/archive/12.12/cuba.html>.
13 January 2005
Cuban researchers have developed a cholera vaccine based on the "transmission mechanism of genes that codify the cholera toxin."
— "Cuban anti-cholera vaccine project advancing," Granma International Online Edition, 13 January 2005, <http://www.granma.cu/ingles/2005/enero/juev13/4vacuna-i.html>.
30 August 2005
The U.S. Department of State issues the compliance report “Adherence to and Compliance with Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments” to Congress acknowledging that there is a split view in the U.S. intelligence community on whether Cuba possesses a BW program. The report states that Cuba possesses the technical capability to pursue a BW program should its leaders so order, but it makes no mention that Cuba actually has such a program. This report contains softer language than that found in the December 2001 compliance report.
— U.S. Department of State, Adherence To and Compliance With Arms Control, Nonproliferation, and Disarmament Agreements and Commitments, August 2005, <http://www.state.gov/t/vci/rls/rpt/51977.htm>.
November 2005
Havana AIN reports that the CIGB is testing a genetically engineered vaccine against rabbit hemorrhagic disease. The report asserts that the U.S. introduced the causative virus into Cuba in 1993 and that it has caused four outbreaks.
— "Cuba Testing Vaccine for 'U.S.-Introduced' Rabbit Hemorrhagic Disease," Havana AIN, November 30, 2005.
June 2006
A CIGB team of researchers claims to have developed a genetically modified tobacco plant that manufactures quantities of a monoclonal antibody that is used to purify ingredients that constitute the Cuban hepatitis B vaccine sold under the trademark Heberbiovac-HB. It has been certified by the State Center for the Control of Medication Quality of the Ministry of Public Health and the National Center for Biological Safety as fulfilling the criteria of Good Agricultural Production Practices. The so-called “plantibody” is produced by a non-commercial version of the common tobacco plant that has thicker leaves and is grown in an inert environment without soil.
— Cubaweb.cu, “Cuba develops first monoclonal antibody from transgenic plants,” Havana Journal, 11 June 2006, <http://havanajournal.com/culture/entry/cuba-develops-first-monoclonal-antibody-from-transgenic-plants/>.
July 2006
The infirmed Fidel Castro temporarily cedes power to his brother Raul Castro.
19 July 2006
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Fradkov while visiting Cuba offers it a new loan worth $350 million. There is a catch, however; Cuba can spend this money only for the purchase of Russian machinery and equipment. Fradkov also suggests that negotiations be held on the subject of restructuring Cuba’s existing debt to Russia and the former Soviet Union, which is estimated to be between $16 billion and $25 billion. Castro, however, does not believe Cuba owes the Soviet Union anything because it suffered damages worth $30 billion as a result of the abrupt break of relations in 1992.
— Publisher in Cuba Business, “Cuban debt to Russia – follow the funny money trail,” Havana Journal, July 19, 2006, <http://havanajournal.com/business/entry/Cuban-debt-to-russia-follow-the-funny-money-trail/>.
4 August 2006
Citing the Iran Nonproliferation Act of 2000, the U.S. Department of State imposes sanctions for a term of two years on the CIGB, among others, for carrying out unspecified transfers of equipment and technology to Iran. The sanctions severely limit the ability of any entity within the U.S. government to engage in substantive cooperation with CIGB and its related sub-units such as Heber Biotec.
— U.S. Department of State, Bureau of International Security and Nonproliferation, "Imposition of Nonproliferation Measures Against Foreign Entities, Including a Ban on U.S. Government Procurement," Public Notice 5483, Federal Register, Volume 71, No. 150, August 4, 2006.
15 November 2006
The 2006 Havana International Biotechnology Congress is currently underway with about 600 participants from 40 countries. Health Minister José Ramón Balaguer and Concepción Campa, director of the Finlay Institute presided over the opening of the event. Luis Herrera, president of the organizing committee and director of the CIGB, in addressing the Congress states that 38 Cuban biotechnological products had been patented and were on sale in more than 45 countries. Herrera noted that the GIGB has initiated clinical trials of streptokinase applied rectally in order to prevent rectal infarctions and describes progress of joint research being undertaken with China on Hepatitis C.
— “Cuban biotechnology working for healthcare,” Granma International Online Edition, 14 November 2006, <http://granmai.co.cu/ingles/2006/noviembre/mar14/47biotecnolo.html>.
5 February 2007
Iran’s President Ahmadinejad inaugurates a new vaccine production plant called Karaj Production and Research Complex in Karaj, which is located approximate 160 km northwest of Teheran. Its first product will be a recombinant DNA hepatitis B vaccine developed by Cuban scientists, which will be produced by Iranian scientists who have received special training in Cuba.
— Pasteur Institute of Iran, “The Interview with Director of Pasteur Institute of Iran (IPI) on the inauguration of Hepatitis B Vaccine Project,” 3 February 2007: <http://www.pasteur.ac.ir/4.12.85.htm>.
28 February 2007
A former chief of Cuban military medical services, Roberto Ortega, who defected to the United States. in 2003 claims that Cuba is producing weaponized biological agents that cause such diseases as plague, botulism, and yellow fever in a laboratory near Havana. He describes an underground facility in which Cuban scientists have reproduced and maintained stocks of biological agents from Africa that Havana would use "to blackmail the United States in case of an international incident."
— Frances Robles, "Ex-Insider: Cuba Has Bioweapons," Miami Herald, 28 February 2007, <http://www.latinamericastudies.org/cuba/bioweapons.htm>.
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.
