Several projects of great impact to national progress and society received the 2020 Award to Technological Innovation, according to the Ordinary Official Gazette No. 9 of 2021.
Among the projects that received the award were the Repositioning of the Itolizumab monoclonal antibody in the treatment of patients with COVID-19, developed by the Molecular Immunology Center (ICM), and which has shown good results as a treatment in anti-inflammatory therapy in persons infected with SARS-COV-2. This anti-CD6 monoclonal antibody has proven safety and efficacy in the treatment of mild to severe psoriasis, an auto-immune skin disease.
Another project awarded was Jusvinza, a ground-breaking medicine of Cuban biotechnology and the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, for the treatment of patients with COVID-19 in serious and critical condition. Also recognized was the use of Biomodulina T, created by the National Biopreparations Center, to prevent the spread of the new coronavirus in Cuba,
Likewise, other works related to the design, development and distribution countrywide of the first medium to transport the virus (BTV) for its study in a RT-PCR COVID-19 test, from the National Biopreparations Center were also awarded.
OTHER PROJECTS RECOGNIZED
-Transfermóvil: Infrastructure for e-commerce and the payment of services via mobile phone, using bank magnetic cards, from Cuba’s telecommunications company ETECSA.
-Assessment of the risk of complications in nephrectomy through lumboscopic approach, by the National Center of Minimal Access Surgery.
-Vitrofural, result of the combination of science and technique, is a product that has been sold for over a decade in Cuba and abroad, by the Chemical Bioactives Center of the Marta Abreu Central University of Las Villas.
-Use of comprehensive management of weeds in sugar cane plantations, based on a decision-making system, under the executive leadership of the Sugar Cane Research Institute.
-Methodology for the identification and characterization through crystal chemistry of the mineral phases of the nickel on the surfaces of saprolite weathering, by the Geomining Company of Camagüey.
-Introduction of new products and technologies in the injection molding of articles for domestic use, by Juan A. Márquez ‘Cepil’ Company.
Created in 1999, the Award to Technological Innovation in Cuba is the highest recognition of the Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (Citma) to the results in science, technology and innovation that have been introduced along the year and have creative and sustainable contribution to the economic and social advance of the country. (Translated by ESTI)
