The Centers for Disease Control, Department of Health, Executive
Yuan of the Republic of China (Taiwan), hereinafter referred to
as "Taiwan CDC" and the Gorgas Memorial Research Institute for
Health Studies of Panama, hereinafter referred to as "the
ICGES", and duly authorized by the Board of Directors by Minutes
dated June 20, 2007 and the 53rd resolution of the ICGES dated
June 3, 2008; announce a mutual desire and commitment to enter
into this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) of collaboration and
cooperation so as to promote the exchange of information related
to disease control, safety and biosecurity.

'The parties agree to cooperate on equal and reciprocal terms
and establish in the future more detailed cooperation programs.

FIRST: Objectives

This MOU is intended to promote cooperation between the parties
in the technical and scientific fields of health, focused on
strengthening and consolidating the following specific aims:

A. To ensure an adequate exchange of information on diagnostic
techniques for infectious diseases, safety and biosecurity
for the benefit of both parties;

B. To promote the strengths of each party in training, capacity
building, and research and development;

C. To provide a general framework with which the parties can
propose, develop and implement collaborative projects. Each
proposed project will be evaluated and considered on its own
merits depending on the availability of funding. Each
Institution will seek internal and external funds to support
the programs and exchanges generated as a result of this MOU.

D. As specific projects or research programs are developed that
require financial commitments or human resources, the parties
shall subscribe a specific MOU (or contract) to establish the
terms of reference and conditions for them. The MOU's or
contracts are to be approved and signed by authorized
administrative personnel from each of the participating
institutions.

SECOND: Program

A. Information Exchange: Develop programs for the exchange of
information through monitoring; diagnostic and laboratory
reports; workshops and conferences.

B. International Research Programs: Promote plans for
collaborative research projects related to both countries.
The objectives are to strengthen the research capabilities of
scientists, develop international platforms for cooperation,
and facilitate full participation in international programs
for infectious diseases.

C. Allocations: To facilitate collaboration on biosafety and
security, laboratory diagnosis (I.e. dengue virus, influenza
virus, etc.), quality control of laboratories and research
programs, among specialists in the disciplines of their
competence, subject to the laws and regulations in force in
each of the two countries and subject to the financial
limitations of each side.

THIRD: Financial Responsibilities

A. Each party must determine the affordability of this MOU.


B. Each party is responsible for its own expenses incurred from
collaboration explained in this program.

FOURTH: Implementation and Partnership

A. This MOU will be implemented directly between Taiwan CDC and
the ICGES. Each party shall designate the competent agencies
as contact points for strengthening the exchange of
information between the two (2) parties in the fight against
the threat of infectious diseases that could constitute a
public health emergency of international importance.

B. An annual bilateral meeting will take place to develop and
revise joint research programs.

FIFTH: General Terms

A. Any research or other activity carried out in collaboration
under this MOU will be conducted in accordance with the
applicable laws and relevant regulations of each institution.
In the case of Taiwan CDC, these will be the laws of the
Republic of China (Taiwan). For the ICGES, these will be the
laws of the Republic of Panama.

B. For the purposes of this MOU, intellectual property is
defined as inventions, discoveries or improvements,
patentable or not, subject or not to copyrights, including
but not limited to words or expressions, techniques,
software, programming subject or database, or authored work
developed under this MOU.

The intellectual property developed exclusively by the faculty
or staff of the Taiwan CDC will be wholly owned by the Taiwan
CDC.

The intellectual property developed exclusively by the staff of
ICGES will be wholly owned by the ICGES.

Intellectual property created jointly by at least one (1)
employee of the Taiwan CDC and/or one (1) employee of the ICGES
will be jointly owned by the Taiwan CDC and the ICGES. Each of
these institutions retains the right to use intellectual
property for research purposes.

C. This MOU will become effective when signed by the parties
involved and will expire at the end of three (3) years. This
MOU will be renewed automatically for the same period of
three (3) years unless either party notifies the other in
writing of its intention to terminate it. The notification of
termination of this MOU by either party must be submitted at
least 90 days in advance of termination. This MOU may be
amended at any time by a written agreement of the parties.
Nothing contained in this MOU should create a financial
obligation or a burden for either party.


The parties attest to signing two (2) copies of this MOU in
Chinese, Spanish, and English, with each copy considered an
original.



Dr. Steven Hsu-Sung Kuo Dr. Nestor R. Sosa
Director Director
Center for Disease Control Instituto Conmemorativo Gorgas
Department of Health, de Estudios de la Salud de
Executive Yuan Panama
Republic of China (Taiwan)
Date Date
May 13, 2009 May 28, 2009