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Cuban biotechnology working for healthcare
Products from this industry have been patented and
sold in more than 45 countries.
Cuba’s potential in carrying out
projects to develop therapeutic vaccines against a
variety of diseases are currently on display at the
2006 Havana International Biotechnology Congress
which was underway at the close of this edition.
Health Minister José Ramón
Balaguer and Concepción Campa, director of the
Finlay Institute – both members of the Political
Bureau of the Party – presided over the opening of
the event, which brings together almost 600
participants from 40 countries.
Dr. Luis Herrera, president of
the organizing committee, said that 38 Cuban
biotechnological products had been patented and were
on sale in more than 45 countries.
Herrera, who is also director of
the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
(CIGB), announced that research carried out by Cuban
scientists includes anti-tumor peptide, which is
continuing following tests using animals, and a
series of clinical trials are expected to begin
soon.
Herrera explained that the
institution has initiated clinical trials of
streptokinase applied rectally in order to prevent
rectal infarctions, as well as news on how they are
progressing on joint research with China on
Hepatitis C.
With the aim of elevating the
quality of life of patients with cancer, Cuban
experts are working on obtaining therapeutic
vaccines for cervical-uterine and prostate tumors.
Herrera praised the political
willingness of the state in the development of
biotechnology which, despite the blockade by the
United States, had exhibited notable achievements
throughout the world.
These include obtaining a
pentavalent vaccine, the second of its kind in the
world, to protect children against five preventable
diseases and which is being used in the Third World.
The CIGB director presented a
diploma to Robert Huber (Germany), winner of the
Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1988, conferring on him
the title of Honorary President of Havana
Biotechnology 2006. He gave a master conference on
proteins and their structures from basic research to
their application in medicine and in the protection
of plant species.
Also present at the opening were
Ricardo Cabrisas, government minister; Fidel Castro
Díaz- Balart, scientific advisor to the Council of
State, and José Miyar Barruecos, secretary of the
Council of State.
(Translated by Granma International)
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