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The Finlay Institute of Vaccines announced this Sunday the passing of Humberto González Rodríguez, who served as the Deputy Director of Industrial Operations at the institution and had dedicated over 35 years of his professional life to vaccine development in Cuba.
The news was communicated through the official Facebook page of the institute with these words: "With deep sorrow, we announce the passing of our dear colleague Humberto González."
The institutional message emphasized that González Rodríguez was part of the team throughout his entire career: "From a very young age, he started his journey in our facilities and is currently serving as the Deputy Director of Industrial Operations."
The institute emphasized that "for over 35 years, it stood out not only for its professionalism and dedication but also for its unwavering willingness to find solutions and its constant support for the team," and added that "its mark and imprint are present in every process, every vaccine, and every space of the Institute that it helped to build and improve."
González Rodríguez was a Chemical Engineer graduated from the José Antonio Echeverría Polytechnic Institute in 2006 and obtained a Master's degree in Engineering Sciences of Biotechnological Processes in 2010, according to his profile on the official Finlay Institute website. In 2013, he was appointed Director of Development of the institution, a position he held before taking on the role of Deputy Director of Industrial Operations.
His scientific career was recognized on two occasions with the Annual Award from the Academy of Sciences of Cuba: in 2008 for the work "Design, obtaining, and evaluation of a new mucosal adjuvant in the form of cochleate," and in 2015 for "Heptavalent conjugate vaccine candidate against pneumococci: from research hypothesis to Phase I clinical evaluation." He was also a member of the Scientific Societies of Pharmacology, Immunology, and Chemistry.
The news generated a wide reaction among colleagues and friends on social media. Eliseo Salinas, a work colleague, wrote: "We have lost a great companion; in recent times he had become a great leader of the institution, carrying out the assigned tasks with great responsibility." Ramón Barberá Morales described him as "an excellent person and technician, very intelligent and dedicated," while Yoander Delgado noted: "There is always a special appreciation for someone who dedicates their life to something with passion. You did that."
Several comments expressed surprise at the premature nature of the passing. "So young," wrote Rosabel Manso Ruiz succinctly. Filadelfa Vidal Aguilar shared a reflection that captured the general sentiment: "Death is not true when the work of life has been fulfilled. He fulfilled it abundantly."
The passing occurs at a time of particular significance and tension for Cuban biotechnology. On June 5th, Russia and Cuba announced an alliance to develop vaccines against cancer during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, an agreement in which the Finlay Institute plays a central role.
The institution, which developed the Soberana 02 and Soberana Plus vaccines against COVID-19 and is internationally recognized for products such as VA-MENGOC-BC and Quimi-Vio, is simultaneously facing the effects of the terrible Cuban economic crisis, which has left empty pharmacies and hospitals without supplies throughout the island.
It is not the first time that the Finlay Institute mourns the loss of a high-level scientist. In April 2021, researcher Gustavo Sierra González passed away, one of the founders of Cuban biotechnology and the creator of the BC meningococcal vaccine, a foundational figure of the same institution that González Rodríguez helped to build for over three decades.
The note from the Finlay Institute did not disclose the reasons for Humberto González's death or details of the funeral arrangements. Deep condolences go out to his family and loved ones.
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