Foundation, Institut Pasteur and UFC sign scientific cooperation agreement

In an initiative that positions Ceará as a leading player in international scientific cooperation, Fiocruz, the Pasteur Institute, and the Federal University of Ceará (UFC) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) last Tuesday (3/25) aimed at research, innovation, and training in the field of health. The ceremony took place at the Pasteur-Fiocruz Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, in Eusébio (CE), and marked the consolidation of a strategic partnership between Brazil and France.

The director of the UFC, Custódio Almeida, the co-coordinators of the Pasteur-Fiocruz Center for Immunology and Immunology, Caroline Passaes and João Hermínio, and the ambassador of France in Brazil, Emmanuel Lenain, at the ceremony (Photo: Fiocruz Ceará)

The presence of the French ambassador to Brazil, Emmanuel Lenain, and the consul general of France in Recife, Serge Gas, reinforced the diplomatic and institutional nature of the agreement, underlining the mutual interest in expanding ties between the two countries through knowledge and innovation in health. The moment represented the officialization of a commitment previously signed by the president of Fiocruz, Mário Moreira, the president of the Institut Pasteur, Yasmine Belkaid, and the dean of the UFC, Custódio Almeida, with a view to strengthen scientific collaboration in the fields of immunology and immunotherapy.

During the event, Fiocruz's advisor for Cooperation with French Science and Technology Institutions, Wilson Savino, pointed out that the agreement strengthens a long-standing relationship between the two countries and that it comes in a particularly important year for the foundation. "We are in 2025, the year in which Fiocruz turns 125, maintaining its commitment to the health of the Brazilian people and to reducing inequalities. It is also a year of celebrating relations between Brazil and France with the Cross Season, which highlights cooperation between the two countries," he said.

Savino also highlighted the model adopted by Fiocruz to expand its international presence without leaving the country. "Instead of going abroad, we bring institutions of excellence, like the Pasteur Institute, to develop science here. This allows international exchanges within the national territory, which is extremely valuable for Brazil." According to him, the Pasteur-Fiocruz Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy is a concrete example of this strategy. "This cooperation is an old cooperation, but it is always being renewed. And now, with its headquarters in Ceará, this project is gaining even more strength and relevance. The future of this partnership is promising," he concluded.

Ambassador Emmanuel Lenain thanked Brazil for its partnership, highlighting the country's commitment to science. "Thank you to the dean, the president of Fiocruz, the Secretary of Science, and the researchers and friends for this work together. What is being built here, today, is important for building strong teams capable of producing concrete results," he said.

In his speech, the dean of the UFC, Custódio Almeida, reflected on the lasting nature of the partnership and the transformative potential of science. "We are here to celebrate the Meeting of the Lasting, one of those meetings that is born as a bridge between now and tomorrow, between the present and the future, between France and Brazil," he said. He pointed out that, by bringing together institutions such as Fiocruz, the Institut Pasteur, and the UFC, the agreement connects not only already consolidated structures, but also prospects. "This meeting will provide significant advances in disease prevention and treatment. We know that new epidemics and pandemics are emerging. We need to be prepared with security, research, and innovation," he said.

The partnership between the institutions goes further and translates into concrete actions that should directly benefit scientific production in Brazil. The memorandum provides for joint actions in research and innovation, academic exchange, graduate programs, scientific dissemination, and the shared use of structures such as the UFC's Medicines Research and Development Center (NPDM)'s Vivarium, one of the few in the country with international certification for pre-clinical studies of new drugs.

According to the co-coordinators of the Pasteur-Fiocruz Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy, Caroline Passaes and João Hermínio, the cooperation established with the UFC should significantly expand advanced studies in immunology. "This partnership aims not only to generate new scientific knowledge, but also to drive the development of innovative products and technologies, strengthening public health strategies and contributing to social welfare," they said.

They also highlighted the role of academic exchange in advancing joint projects. "The mobility of researchers and students from local universities, especially the UFC, is central to this process. The opportunity to train in the cutting-edge laboratories of the Institut Pasteur in France offers a unique experience for training highly qualified human resources with international experience, promoting the integration of global knowledge with local application."

For the Secretary of Science and Technology for Social Development at the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation, Inácio Arruda, the agreement represents the

strengthening of an effort that has been built up over the years. "The creation of Fiocruz Ceará was a collective achievement. It is the fruit of many hands, of political articulation, but above all of a commitment to science that transforms people's lives. This agreement expands this transformation, bringing more knowledge and development to our people," he said.

Representing the Government of Ceará, the Secretary of Science, Technology and Higher Education, Sandra Monteiro, spoke about the importance of connecting teaching, research, and innovation as inseparable pillars of scientific sovereignty. "I cannot see innovation without teaching and research. This partnership between Brazil and France not only strengthens our scientific capacity, but also points to greater sovereignty in the production of health supplies, which is essential for the country," he said. According to her, strengthening cooperation networks like this has impacts that go beyond the academic field. "There is also progress in national autonomy in strategic areas. Moments like this represent not only a reinforcement of what is already being done with excellence, but also a responsible, careful and committed advance towards excellence," he added.

The general coordinator of Fiocruz Ceará, Carla Celedonio, made a point of recognizing the collective role in building unity in the state. "Since the conception of Fiocruz here, in Ceará, we have received key support from people and institutions who have believed in science as an engine for development. The UFC, for example, was a partner from the get go, even providing important names, such as Professor Cláudia Pessoa, who contributed so much when this building didn't even exist," he recalled.

She also highlighted the role of the former presidents of Fiocruz and the continued support of the state government. "We had the initial vision of Paulo Buss, the impetus of Paulo Gadelha, who carried out the implementation, and the protagonism of Professor Nísia Trindade. This story was built by many hands. And today, with the Center for Immunology and Immunotherapy up and running, we have the chance to transform knowledge into real solutions for the Brazilian population," Carla said with emotion.

The advisor for Europe of the Fiocruz Global Health Center (Cris/ Fiocruz), Ilka Vilardo, and the scientific coordinator of the Vice Directorate of Innovation of Bio-Manguinhos, Marco Alberto Medeiros, were present at the event representing Fiocruz.

The Pasteur-Fiocruz Center

Inaugurated in May 2024, its mission is to speed up research in the field of immunology and drive the development of innovative immunotherapies for the treatment of communicable and non-communicable diseases. The center conducts research into cancer, emerging and infectious diseases, as well as autoimmune and

neurodegenerative diseases. Its creation strengthens the capacity to respond to global public health demands and promotes translational research, allowing the application of scientific knowledge to the creation of new therapies that can be made available to the population.

The center works on the design and development of new therapies and translational studies. This partnership with the UFC strengthens our capacity to carry out pre-clinical and clinical trials, crucial stages in the development of new immunotherapies. Among the therapies developed are the development of monoclonal antibodies and related molecules, as well as the research and improvement of cell therapies based on the activity of T cells and NK cells. The aim is to expand access to advanced treatments and develop therapeutic solutions for diseases that directly impact the Brazilian population.