The Cuban drug known so far as CIGB-300 is showing “very encouraging” results against COVID-19 in its first phase of clinical evaluation, according to the official media.
The antiviral-action drug was designed by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana, and is being studied as part of the research being carried out by Cuban science to confront the pandemic, the BioCubaFarma business group said on Facebook.
Las investigaciones no se detienen en @BioCubaFarma, nuevos medicamentos se evalúan para la enfermedad #COVID19. Un…
Posted by Biocubafarma on Saturday, August 1, 2020
“With previously demonstrated antitumor efficacy,” the CIGB-300 is the subject of a controlled clinical trial that started last May in patients positive for SARS-CoV-2, pointed out Cubadebate, which doesn’t offer conclusive or preliminary statistics about the trial.
The study seeks to find out the efficacy of this drug against the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, following the steps of research carried out with other drugs, which have also had good results.
In total, the CIGB is currently working on 16 lines of research related to the treatment and control of COVID-19, according to Dr. Gerardo Guillén, director of biomedical research at the renowned scientific institution.
A few days ago a synthetic peptides production plant was inaugurated at the CIGB, which is already producing a drug successfully used as part of the Cuban medical protocol against coronavirus.
The role of Cuban science, and in particular of its prestigious biotechnology industry, has been fundamental in confronting the epidemic on the island. Several of its products, including Jusvinza or CIGB-258, the recombinant interferon alpha 2b―both CIGB―, and Itolizumab, have shown their effectiveness in different stages of the disease.
