CUBA / CHINA (TV BRICS) – Representatives of Cuba and China have signed an agreement to research, produce and develop innovative immunotherapies against various types of cancer, said the diplomatic sources.
According to the Cuban embassy in Beijing, the agreement was signed by the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) and the ChangHeber joint venture following the eighth meeting of the board of directors of the two organisations.
The agreement includes the transfer of technology for the product CIGB247, or HeberSavax vaccine, which is an active immunotherapy for the treatment of various solid tumours.
CIGB CEO Marta Ayala explained that clinical trials had been conducted on the drug in ovarian, lung, colorectal and hepatocarcinoma tumours and they had worked with ChangHeber to master the technology to produce the active ingredient and refine the drug.
The joint venture will also conduct all phases of preclinical and clinical trials in China in accordance with national regulations.
ChangHeber, one of three biotechnology companies jointly established by Cuba and China, is based in Jilin and produces alfa-2b recombinant interferon.
Two other joint ventures are Lukang-Heber for agricultural biotechnology products and Biotech Pharma, manufacturer of drugs such as the humanised monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab for nasopharyngeal cancer, as reported by Prensa Latina, a partner of TV BRICS.