Havana, March 21 (RHC)-- The Cuban company Heber Biotec and the US-based Mercury Biotec have agreed to join efforts to bring Heberprot-P therapy to patients with diabetic foot ulcers in the United States, once the Drug and Food Administration (FDA) approves its use .

Hebertprot-P is an innovative Cuban drug given to patients suffering from ulcers that do not heal and that do not respond to conventional treatments.  It has been registered in 15 countries.

Because of the deal reached between Mercury and Heber, the Cuban therapy could substantially reduce the relative risk of amputation provoked by diabetic foot ulcers among US patients by half percent, according to a press release by the BioCubaFarma business group

Nearly one million American patients are diagnosed with diabetic foot ulcer annually. This complication increases the risk of amputations of the lower limbs. It Is estimated that over the last five years, the number of amputees in the United States has increased from 73,000 to 85,000, with negative consequences for families and health systems, and with great social and economic implications.