Is Cuban Drug Key to Treating Coronavirus?

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – The Cuban drug “Recombinant Interferon alfa 2b (IFNrec)” is one of 30 drugs selected to fight the coronavirus Covid-19 in China. According to media reports, it has already cured more than 1,500 patients. Since January 25th, it has been produced in the Chinese-Cuban plant Chanheber in the province of Jilin, according to the Cuban embassy in China.

According to specialists, it has so far been used to treat viral infections such as HIV/AIDS, recurrent respiratory papillomatosis, a respiratory tumor, and hepatitis B and C.

Developed in 1986 by Cuban researchers at the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), it has helped thousands of patients since its introduction more than 30 years ago. It inhibits the replication process of the virus within the cells, an action that has also had success in the treatment of various types of cancer.

Through a technology transfer from CIGB to China in 2003, the Changheber Sino-Cuban joint venture was established in the city of Changchung and a decade later a modern production center was inaugurated.

This is where biotechnological products are developed and produced, including the drug IFNrec, which can be used against the coronavirus. In 2012, IFNrec received the National Technology Innovation Prize in Cuba, awarded by the Cuban Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment, and the National Health Prize in 2013.

The decision of the Chinese health authorities to use the drug is based on the way the coronavirus acts, which reduces the natural production of interferon in the body. The Cuban drug can offset this deficit and strengthen the immune system of patients suffering from the infectious respiratory disease.

At a meeting between Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel and Chinese Ambassador Chen Xi in Havana last Friday, Díaz-Canel underlined Cuba’s willingness to assist China in all necessary steps to fight the virus. He further stressed that China has “the necessary experience and capable leadership to overcome adversity” and praised their great sense of responsibility in dealing with the virus.

Cuba’s Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez twittered last Monday that it is solidarity that distinguishes Cuba from other countries. He said that 56 years of medical cooperation, with a presence in 164 countries and the involvement of more than 4,000 doctors, is evidence of this principle, which Cuba will continue to uphold: “We practice it, as Fidel said, with facts, not with fine words”. On March 23rd, 1963, a medical team of 56 doctors was deployed in Algeria for the first time.

In early February, the US antiviral drug Remedevisir was considered a potential solution to the coronavirus and tested on more than 700 patients. Originally developed for the treatment of Ebola, it had shown promising effects with other coronaviruses such as SARS or MERS and eased the disease symptoms of patients treated within a short time. Currently, the drug is only approved for clinical trials.

Relevant studies are currently being conducted at the Chinese Academy and in hospitals in Wuhan. However, it is necessary to wait for the results of these studies. The Chinese government has already applied for a national patent on the drug, which was developed by the US company Gilead Sciences and is currently the subject of disputes regarding the ownership and use of intellectual property.

According to the latest figures, there are currently over 77,000 confirmed Covid-19 infections in 26 countries, of which more than 74,000 are in China. Over 2,200 of these have been fatal.

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