Mayabeque, Cuba: The National Center for Bio-preparations (Biocen) researches and develops new bio-pharmacological products against Covid-19 and other diseases, in a constant battle to give quality of life to Cuba.
From its plants, Biomodulin T and the so-called BTV , among others, are prioritized for the transfer of samples for the diagnosis of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, in order to satisfy the national demand in the current epidemiological situation.
These are innovative products recognized in events in the area of science such as the Technological Innovation Award granted by Resolution 1/2021 of the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment but, above all, they are advances in the search for better treatments against complex conditions .
The contributions made in recent months earned Biocen the recent award of a Cuban High Technology Company, which can be renewed as soon as the center maintains the relevant requirements and indicators.
These contributions are possible today due to the capacity of the institution’s professionals to act in an emergency situation such as that generated by the new coronavirus, reaffirmed the Director of Research and Development at BioCen, Doctor of Science Alexis Labrada Rosado.
Labrada pointed out the importance in this regard of the closure of production cycles with technological improvements that reduce costs, as well as high productivity in services and high value-added products, with an emphasis on the foreign market.
The specialist highlighted the audacity of the scientists in assuming the development of the BTV without such experience, because although the center had a group dedicated to microbiological diagnosis and culture media, it was a different model that had to be compatible with the instruments for performing PCR.
The manager specified that, with great dedication, in a short time they generated various proposals in collaboration with the Pedro Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine and were able to specify the final composition, which they did not know exactly, since the international references did not offer quantitative data.
Regarding Biomodulin-T, very effective in strengthening immunity in older adults, he explained that the drug has a production history of more than 10 years, a well-established technology, productive capacity and proven results.
He pointed out that it has several applications and a clinical trial is currently being carried out to evaluate its efficacy and safety as a complementary therapy to antiretroviral treatment in patients with HIV-AIDS, and another in children with a clinical-immunological diagnosis of primary immunodeficiency with Thymic Hypoplasia, he added. BioCen produces a large quantity of biotechnological products and parenteral injectables in the centers of the biotechnology industry in Cuba, among them Recombinant Human Erythropoietin, from the Center for Molecular Immunology; Jusvinza, from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; and the important vaccine candidate Soberana 02, from the Finlay Vaccine Institute.