Jorge Víctor Gavilondo Cowley

Born in Chicago to Cuban parents, Jorge V. Gavilondo is one of the leading Cuban scientists of the second half of the twentieth century and one of the protagonists in the construction of the biotechnology sector. He is also a recognized autonomous professional photographer who has lived in Havana, Cuba, since 1950.

The first monoclonal antibodies obtained in Cuba in 1981 came from Gavilondo's hands, among them ITOLIZUMAB, today well known for its success in treating severe COVID19 patients.

He graduated as a Bachelor of Biological Sciences from the University of Havana in 1972 and began his professional life as a scientist at the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology (INOR), where he moved from the radiobiology laboratory to the directorship of the Biology Department, and was a very active member of that institution's Scientific Council.

His first research was in the field of lymphomas and the proliferation of higher cells in culture. He was the author of the first articles from the National Institute of Oncology and Radiobiology published in high-impact international journals. He represented Cuba at several international meetings for cancer research.

Very soon he identified monoclonal antibodies as one of the main areas of biotechnology development. That is the reason why, at such an early date and before the technique became widespread throughout the world, monoclonal antibodies were obtained in Cuba in 1981 and taken to clinical trials.

His professional experience included a broad field encompassing cell and molecular biology, experimental immunology, monoclonal and recombinant antibodies, cancer vaccines, experimental oncology, cellular radiobiology, cell culture, and diagnostic systems.

The assimilation of technologies for mammalian cell culture especially had much to do with Gavilondo's knowledge and experimental skills. He was an excellent experimentalist and at the same time a profound theorist.

In 1986 he was one of the founders of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana where he held the position of Head of the Division of Immunotechnology and Diagnostics and later, Immunotherapy against Cancer.

It was under his direction that the therapeutic cancer vaccine HeberSaVax was developed, based on vascular endothelial growth factor and today in clinical trials.

Documentary photography, casual portraits, architecture, nature and dance are the main photographic interests of photographer Jorge Gavilondo Cowley. Black and white and color images from his projects in Havana / Cuba have been exhibited in 40 events and are found in private collections throughout the world. Jorge is a member of the Cuban Association of Social Communicators and the Association of Cuban Writers and Artists.

His colleagues have described him as a person of great genius, good sense of humor, human qualities, and also for his major contributions to Cuban science, particularly in the fight against cancer.