2020

Heberon Alfa® R (recombinant human interferon alpha 2b), a leading product of Cuban biotechnology, was chosen by the Ministry of Health of China as one of 30 medicines to fight the epidemic by COVID-19, which was a turning point in the treatment of this disease. From then on, the CIGB contributed five drugs that were included in the Cuban protocols against COVID-19 pandemic, due to their effective results:

• Heberon Alfa® R , an important modifier of the biological, antiviral, antiproliferative and immunomodulatory response, which induces an excellent therapeutic response;
• HeberFERON® , for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 virus positive patients with some comorbidities and patients with SARS-CoV-2 viral persistence;
• Jusvinza , an immunoregulatory peptide for the treatment of cytokine storm in SARS-CoV-2 positive patients;
• Nasalferon (recombinant human interferon alpha 2b for nasal application) drug that strengthens the immune system, for the prophylaxis of infection by SARS-CoV-2; and
• Hebertrans® , a drug containing transfer factor, useful for the treatment of patients with cellular immunodeficiency and autoimmune diseases. The CIGB inaugurates a new Plant for the large-scale production of peptides that constitute the active principle of various medicines.
• Clinical trials begin with vaccine candidates Abdala and Mambisa against covid-19 in Cuba.

The Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) demonstrates the high productivity of transgenic hybrid corn and transgenic soybean in the field, and registers Acuabio® V , as a nutritional supplement and stimulator of the innate immunity of aquaculture organisms of commercial interest, for its application in shrimp in Cuba.