Washington, D.C., May 13, 2026 (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) and the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the designation of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), one of Brazil’s leading public health and science institutions, as a Regional Biomanufacturing Training Center for the Americas, as part of a workforce strengthening strategy to produce essential health technologies like vaccines and biopharmaceuticals.
This designation is part of the global network of regional biomanufacturing training centers established by WHO in 2023 to expand workforce training and support the development of more sustainable and self-sufficient regional production. The initiative seeks to strengthen not only infrastructure and technology transfer, but also specialized workforce training across the entire biomanufacturing value chain.
A key step for health equity and health security
The center will offer hands-on training programs in key areas, including research and development (R&D), technology transfer, bioprocessing, quality systems, regulatory affairs, clinical development, and production scale-up. It will also promote collaboration among governments, universities, and industry.
“This is a milestone for the Americas and the result of ongoing efforts to strengthen countries’ capacities, advance local production of health technologies, and reduce gaps in access,” said Dr. Jarbas Barbosa, Director of PAHO. “Investing in workforce development is investing in health security and in the social and economic development of the Region,” he added.
Under the WHO-led selection process, PAHO conducted the initial evaluation of proposals submitted by institutions in the Region, helped identify candidates, participated in on-site evaluation missions and contributed to the internal review and selection process.
Priscila Ferraz, Vice President of Health Production and Innovation at Fiocruz, highlighted the institution’s trajectory leading to its designation: “Fiocruz has a strong track record in building production and innovation capacities in vaccines and biological medicines, built through a successful history of technology transfer, technological development, and production of strategic health supplies for countries of the Global South.”
A global network with regional impact
Fiocruz will join a global network of training centers spanning all six WHO regions and will work in coordination with the Global Training Hub for Biomanufacturing (GTH-B), based in the Republic of Korea.
The network, which includes institutions in Senegal, South Africa, India, Ireland, Egypt, and China, aims to expand access to specialized training, strengthen technical cooperation among countries, and promote quality standards and global alignment.
Strengthening health system resilience
The initiative aligns with resolutions adopted by the World Health Assembly and PAHO that are focused on strengthening national and regional capacities for the production of medicines and other health technologies.
By investing in workforce development, the initiative aims to improve preparedness for health emergencies and advance more resilient and self-sufficient health systems.
