By María Josefina Arce

It is widely known the fruitful collaboration between Cuba and China in several areas, especially in biotechnology, a branch in which the Caribbean nation shows substantial advances and in which it continues to contribute to the health of Cubans and citizens from different latitudes.

And in the last few hours, a news item in this field highlights the effectiveness of Cuban biotechnological drugs. In Chinese territory, the use of NIMOTUZUMAB against cancer, a disease with a high incidence worldwide and specifically in that country, has been extended.

The effectiveness of the humanized monoclonal antibody against pancreatic and nasopharyngeal cancer has been demonstrated. This drug has been used in the Asian giant since 2008.

Now the National Drug Administration of China has approved its use to treat head and neck carcinoma, given the efficacy and safety demonstrated in clinical studies in that nation.

This is the third time that the Chinese institution has approved this drug for use against cancer. Scientists from that East Asian nation have highlighted the social impact of NIMOTUZUMAB.

The specialists have pointed out that one of its main advantages is that it preferentially recognizes tumor cells, which allows it to be combined with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

Registered in Cuba since 2002, this drug was also successfully used in our country in the fight against COVID 19. Its application made it possible to reduce mortality in patients in severe stages of the disease caused by the new coronavirus.

Likewise, the Chinese health authorities included it among the 30 products approved in their protocols for dealing with the virus.

NIMOTUZUMAB, together with other Cuban drugs, is a benchmark of how far biotechnology has advanced in the Greater Antilles. It is registered in some 20 countries and has special permission to be sold in 15 European territories.

The authorities of the two countries have highlighted the great bilateral cooperation in biotechnology, which has materialized in the creation of joint ventures, which have had notable advances in medicines, vaccines and other products.In the last 20 years both peoples have benefited from this close and fruitful collaboration, a sign of the historic relations between Cuba and China, and their willingness to work together in favor of the health of their citizens and other parts of the world.