THE REGIONAL TECHNOLOGY GAP AND THE CASE OF VACCINE PRODUCTION IN ARGENTINA AND BRAZIL

This article aims to discuss the role of science, technology and innovation (STI) in the region developing the case study of the vaccine production in Argentina and Brazil in the context of Latin American biotech. The article will present data on the asymmetry in STI in the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) and comparing the region with the greatest contemporary technological powers, the United States and China. It analyzes the technological dependency in the framework of the covid-19 pandemic in the region and develops the cases of Argentina and Brazil regarding the production of vaccines. Finally, it proposes the need to advance with the implementation of a regulatory agency for medicines of Mercosur looking for sanitary sovereignty to facilitate the production of medicines, supplies and vaccines in the region.