Havana, Jun 11 (Prensa Latina) Ahead of its 39th anniversary, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) is carrying out today a communication and educational campaign in social networks, which showcases the history and significance of its extensive product portfolio.
With the #CIGB Anniversary/ Did you know? the emblematic leading institution of the Cuban biopharmaceutical industry, which will celebrate the 39th anniversary of its foundation on July 1, publishes in several posts the origin and development of its drugs, including the Heberbiovac_HB vaccine, obtained in 1989 and the first one with that technology produced in the Caribbean island.
It became a milestone in Cuban science and was later exported to several countries. Its recombinant DNA technology made it possible to obtain a highly effective and safe formula, comparable to the best worldwide, and it was also prequalified by the WHO, according to the CIGB.
By means of this innovation, Cuba managed to control hepatitis B, recalls the CIGB, after highlighting that the injectable has been included in the National Vaccination Program since 1992, and has protected millions of Cubans.
The institution, creator of antiviral, immunomodulatory, antibacterial and bacteriostatic biopharmaceutical products, as well as for the healing of neuropathic and ischemic diabetic foot ulcers, just to mention a few of its broad portfolio for human health, highlights the development of the pentavalent vaccine, one of the few in the world that protects children against five diseases with a single dose.
The Heberpenta-L liquid pentavalent vaccine protects against five diseases (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B and Haemophilus influenzae type b infections) in a single injection, simplifying vaccination schedules.
Unlike other pentavalent vaccines (which are lyophilized), its ready-to-use liquid presentation avoids errors in its preparation and facilitates its application in mass immunization campaigns.
Due to its advanced technology, it offers high efficacy (over 95%) and a safety profile proven in clinical studies. As a product of Cuban biotechnology, it guarantees its accessibility in countries with limited resources.
Its design allows for a long-lasting immune response, especially protecting children in their first years of life, since it is applied from two months of age, they emphasize.
Cuba and other nations are making progress in the elimination of preventable diseases with their use, demonstrating the impact of Cuban science at the service of global health, the CIGB stresses.
Opened on July 1, 1986, it is a large research-productive complex equipped with state-of-the-art equipment, important production capacities and a staff engaged in the development of new products in all its phases, from cloning and protein expression with DNA recombination techniques to industrial-scale production and commercialization of its products.
The main lines of work include the recombinant production of proteins and hormones, vaccines and diagnostic tools, the production of monoclonal antibodies, the use of biomass and its transformation by chemoenzymatic means, and the micropropagation of cells and tissue cultures.
(Taken from PL)
