AREQUIPA, Peru – The Cuban regime is preparing clinical trials of the monoclonal antibody Itolizumab in China. Currently, the joint venture Cuba-China Biotech Pharmaceuticals Limited (BPL) is preparing to work with the Cuban patent, which is used against autoimmune diseases.
Yanet Borrego, deputy general director and representative of the Cuban vice presidency of BPL, told the state agency Latin Press that these trials will be focused on Dermatomyositis and Graft versus Host.
“We are also transferring technology from the production process of Cimavax, the lung cancer vaccine that already has more than 30 clinical studies at an international level,” he said.
The Castro regime continues to increase ties with its Asian ally. In this regard, Borrego said that the joint venture should be ready to begin production and clinical trials in China of this second drug between 2025 and 2026.
“The company is also working on developing nine innovative products in cooperation with the Cuban side, which are currently in the research and development phase and should reach the market in about 10 years,” he added.
The directive also recalled that the humanized monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab, of Cuban origin, is the leading product of GLP. The drug was recently registered in China for the cancer treatment head and neck.
“Nimotuzumab has been part of the health insurance scheme since 2015 and has benefited some 300,000 Chinese patients,” Borrego said.
According to the Cuban Ambassador to the Asian giant, Alberto Blanco, bilateral ties in the biotechnology sector have been advancing in a growing and satisfactory manner for 20 years.
“Today we have three joint ventures that develop products innovative biopharmaceuticals such as Nimotuzumab for the treatment of cancer, recombinant interferon alpha 2B for the treatment of hepatitis B and Ateromixol, PPG, for the reduction of blood cholesterol levels,” he said.
The diplomat added that both countries are promoting the growth of the biopharmaceutical industry to develop new products and technologies for the benefit of both peoples.
However, despite the advances in biotechnology and pharmaceuticals that the official press on the island boasts about, the health crisis is a reality that extends throughout Cuba, marked, among other factors, by the shortage of medicines and supplies.
Beyond the announcements of Donations of medical suppliesespecially from allied countries such as Russia, China, Nicaragua and Venezuela, Cubans have to turn to the informal market and buy whatever medicines they find at exorbitant prices; so they assume that these donations end up in hard currency pharmacies, clinics for foreigners and leaders.
There are constant reports on social media of Cubans whose lives are in danger due to not having the medicines for the most diverse illnesses.
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