The clinical trials, in China, of the monoclonal antibody Itolizumab, of Cuban patent, used against autoimmune diseases, are prepared by the joint venture Biotech Pharmaceuticals Limited (BPL), informed Yanet Borrego, deputy general director and representative of the Cuban vice-presidency of BPL.
She added that these trials will be focused on dermatomyositis and graft-versus-host, according to a Prensa Latina report.
The BPL representative pointed out that they are carrying out the technology transfer of the production process of Cimavax, the Cuban vaccine against lung cancer, and it is expected that the joint venture will be ready to start production and clinical trials of this drug in China between 2025 and 2026.
She also explained that the drug Nimotuzumab, for the treatment of head and neck cancer, was recently registered in the Asian giant. It was previously used to treat pancreatic and nasopharyngeal carcinoma.
Regarding this product, Elizabeth Arias Valdés, general director of Cimab, S.A., to which BPL belongs, explained to Granma that it is the company's leading product, of which more than 100 million are sold per year and it is considered one of the priority products of Cuban biotechnology.
Borrego said that the company is also working on the development of nine innovative products, also in cooperation with the Cuban side, which are in the research and development phase and should reach the market in about ten years.
