Havana, September 2 (RHC)-- Cuba has registered a new skin cancer medicine called “Heberferon,” after 20 years of research and clinical trials.

Developed by the Havana-based Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center (CIGB), the new drug which combines interferon “Alfa” and interferon “Gamma.”

The injectable medication cures or reduces the size of malignant skin tumors and can prevent scarring from surgery in areas difficult to operate on such as the face.

Cuba registers a high incidence of skin cancer, which is usually caused by excessive exposure to ultraviolet radiation.

The Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center has already produced over 10,000 vials of the new medicine. Research on the medication continues to assess its effectiveness in the treatment of other types of cancer.

Meanwhile, experts with the Havana center disclosed that the next step will be to include Heberferon on the National health program.