La industria biofarmacéutica cubana en el combate contra la pandemia de COVID-19

The new coronavirus pandemic has challenged the capacity of health systems in most countries. Cuba’s strategy has recently been analyzed in an article published by President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Prof. Jorge Núñez (http://www.revistaccuba.cu/index.php/revacc/article/view/881). A component of this strategy is the cuban biopharmaceutical industry. The drug coverage of the protocol establi-shed by the Ministry of Public Health for the treatment of this disease was guaranteed. Several products under development were quickly repositioned for use on the COVID-19. Biopharmaceuticals as Nasalferon, Biomodulin T and Hebertrans have been used for the prevention of infection by the SARS CoV-2 virus in risk groups; Heberon and Heberferon were administered as antiviral treatments, while Jusvinza and Itolizumab were used to stop the hyperinflammatory reaction. Biotechnology products have contributed to the reduction of seriously and critically ill patients (<7 %) and to the reduction of mortality (0,8/100 000) due to this disease, approximately 10 times lower than the world rate. The project portfolio includes other antiviral and immunomodulatory biologics, diagnostic reagent kits, products of natural origin, and medical equipments. Several vaccine candidates for the induction of specific immunity are under development, which should contribute to the definitive control of this disease in Cuba.