Havana, February 4 (RHC)-- A third dose of the Mambisa vaccine candidate (CIGB-669) will be administered this week to a group of volunteers by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) while evaluating the immunology data of their short vaccination schedule.

Quoted by the Cuban News Agency, Doctor of Science Marta Ayala Avila, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party and general director of the institution, commented that the Mambisa vaccine candidate has shown adequate safety elements in clinical trials, with minimal events.

She detailed that the clinical trial being developed at the National Toxicology Center combines the two vaccine candidates developed by the CIGB, CIGB-66 (Abdala) and CIGB-669 (Mambisa), in two immunization schedules at different intervals, one short (0-14-28 days) and the other long (0-28-56 days).

Ayala Avila also explained that the intramuscular and intranasal administration routes are being explored. One group is evaluated with a first intramuscular immunization and another two by nasal route (with spray), while another group only studies the nasal route with the three immunizations.

Once the safety and immunity report of Mambisa is done, the CIGB will propose to the Center for the State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices (CECMED) the continuity of phase II of the study in the group chosen, according to the results obtained, the expert pointed out.

Mambisa (CIGB-669) is based on the formulation of the RBD (Receptor Binding Domain) protein and an immunopotentiator evaluated by the center: the Hepatitis B nucleocapsid antigen.