Biocon Limited and Havana-based the Centre of Molecular Immunology (CIM) have won the Cuban Academy of Sciences award for a joint discovery in biomedical sciences.

CIM and Biocon have succeeded in manufacturing biological therapeutic molecules, such as monoclonal antibodies, under stringent regulatory standards and marketing them in India and other countries, said a Cuban embassy press release.

The joint research has led to the identification of a novel approach to control inflammation, which could help in tackling several autoimmune diseases, said the statement.

CIM-Biocon helped in the discovery of the role of a molecule on immune system cells, called CD6, in triggering inflammation and tissue destruction. The investigation, commenced  from fundamental research, including experimental animal studies, reached clinical trials in Cuba and India.

The academic award, granted to Cuba's CIM, a cancer research institution, and Biocon Limited, a global biopharmaceutical company of Bangalore, India, has been granted for best results in scientific-technical research.

The award was instituted to recognize excellence in scientific research under  the biomedical sciences section which conferred its prize this year to the project entitled “Anti-CD6 immunotherapy controls inflammation associated to autoimmune diseases.”