On August 19, 2020, Dr. Vicente Vérez Bencomo, Director of the Finlay Institute of Vaccines (IFV, for its Spanish acronym), presented Cuba’s first COVID-19 vaccine candidate to President Miguel Díaz-Canel and the National Expert Group for pandemic response.
But behind this achievement was a remarkable journey rooted in Fidel Castro’s historic decision to develop Cuba’s biotechnology sector—at a time when only a handful of highly industrialized nations were exploring this field.
With the creation of Havana’s Western Scientific Pole, institutions adopted a closed-cycle system: research, development, production, and commercialization. This model enabled Cuba to produce a vaccine candidate just months after its first COVID-19 case.
Though anticipated—rumors had circulated on social media—the announcement still shook the nation, renewing hope in Cuba’s scientific capacity to overcome the dire epidemiological crisis through its own efforts.
Details were shared the next day on the Mesa Redonda TV program by Dr. Vérez Bencomo and young scientists Yury Valdés and Dagmar García Rivera, leaders of the IFV project, alongside Dr. Belinda Sánchez Ramírez from the Center for Molecular Immunology.
Overcoming the emotion of the moment, they explained the name “Soberana” (Sovereign) and announced clinical trials would begin on August 24, after receiving authorization from Cuba’s Center for State Control of Medicines (Cecmed, for its Spanish acronym) on the eve of Fidel’s 94th birthday.
To revisit this historic moment, Granma spoke with Dr. Dagmar García, IFV’s Deputy Director of Research and Development.
She recalled a pivotal meeting on May 19, 2020, where President Díaz-Canel urged Cuban scientists to develop a national vaccine—regardless of international progress—highlighting the importance of sovereignty amid U.S. hostility.
Though not part of the generation that worked with Fidel on the meningitis B vaccine in the 1980s, many of her colleagues had. Together, they united around one goal: to create a Cuban vaccine. Ultimately, they produced three.
By mid-July 2020, progress on Soberana was evident. If all went well, Cecmed would authorize clinical trials by August 13.
“When Mesa Redonda ended on August 20, the emotional weight made us all cry,” García said. “The ICRT staff in the studio fell silent, then erupted in applause so loud it still echoes in my ears five years later.”
She emphasized the decisive role of young scientists, many of whom tested formulations ethically to accelerate timelines. No one hesitated.
She recalled young mothers leaving their children at daycare despite epidemic fears, supported by dedicated caregivers.
In just three months—from May 19 to August 13—clinical trials were approved. Less than a year later, both Soberana and Abdala (developed by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology) were authorized for public use.
This was possible thanks to the rigor, dedication, and commitment of all involved—and above all, Fidel’s strategic vision.
Collaboration with the Center for Molecular Immunology and the University of Havana’s Faculty of Chemistry was key to rapid vaccine development.
Public participation was extraordinary. Phase 3 trials of Soberana in Havana and Abdala in Santiago de Cuba showed how the Cuban people embraced the challenge of defeating COVID-19.
For García, the most emotional moment came on September 5, 2021, when child vaccinations began after the successful Soberana-Pediatrics trial.
In just three weeks, over 97% of Cuban children received their first dose of Soberana 02, allowing schools to reopen in November.
“I don’t like debates over whether Abdala or Soberana was Cuba’s or Latin America’s first vaccine. What matters is that every Cuban had access, and the country triumphed over the pandemic.”
“Cuba’s scientific strength continues: IFV is developing pneumococcal vaccines with 7, 11, and 15 serotypes, and a multivalent meningococcal vaccine, along with an updated COVID-19 vaccine.”
Today, IFV is building international collaborations to adopt MRNA technology, which enables rapid, large-scale vaccine production—vital for future epidemic preparedness, as emphasized by the World Health Organization.
