For the 35th anniversary of the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Camagüey, a group of Cuban scientists are meeting today to discuss perspectives in the fight against diseases such as dengue fever.

Speaking exclusively to Prensa Latina, Gerardo Guillén, director of Biomedical Research at the Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology in Havana, which maintains constant collaboration with its counterpart in Camagüey, said that «we have projects that are at an advanced stage and are aimed at the main causes of mortality, the main health problems in the country».

He also assured that «at the moment, Heberprot-P (to treat diabetic foot ulcers) is a leading product of the institution after the Abdala vaccine (against Covid-19), which has had an important relevance not only in the control of the epidemic in Cuba, but has also been exported to several countries, being also an innovative product with patents».

Regarding diseases in tropical areas and especially in Cuba, he explained that «now, for example, the vaccine we have prioritised among our projects is the one against dengue. We are working intensively on a novel vaccine, which is different from others.

Regarding its commercialisation prospects, he explained that «there is only one vaccine on the market at the moment against dengue, but it has its limitations. Our strategy avoids those limitations that other vaccine strategies in the world have,» the researcher argued.

Speaking about the current status of the drug process, Guillén reported that «we are currently completing clinical studies that confirm the proof of concept, and the strategy we had outlined, which is aimed at boosting the cellular response. We hope to have this vaccine in clinical trials in our country within a year,» Guillén said.

Every year Cuba is affected by diseases transmitted by the Aedes Aegyptis mosquito, such as dengue, zika and chikungunya, so the scientific contribution to the treatment of these diseases is crucial for the country and the region, in addition to the economic and commercial aspects of the results of the medical product.

The work of institutions such as the CIGB has resulted in a resounding success in the fight against Covid-19, in addition to the acquisition of international patents and the reputation of Cuban science in the biomedical field worldwide.