By María Josefina Arce   

Biotechnology in Cuba continues to bet on the health and welfare of citizens. Many Cubans have placed their hopes on Jusvinza, a drug to treat rheumatoid arthritis, a chronic disease in which joints become inflamed, causing pain, deformity and difficulties in movement.   

This ailment, which debuts between 40 and 60 years of age, affects, according to experts, 1.2% of the Cuban population, with a higher prevalence among women.     

A phase three clinical trial of this drug, developed by the renowned Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, which already occupies a prominent place in the history of science in Cuba, is currently taking place in the country.     

In granting the authorization for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis, the State Center for the Control of Medicines and Medical Devices pointed out that after a rigorous process of evaluation of the evidence presented, it demonstrated quality, safety and efficacy for the proposed indication.     

Even before the arrival of COVID 19, the first part of this study had already been conducted on Jusvinza, which proved to be of great benefit to people suffering from this ailment.     

And Jusvinza was even successfully employed in the treatment of severely ill patients during the confrontation with the disease caused by the new coronavirus, due to its mechanisms of action and pharmacological properties. Even without having completed the treatment, patients have begun to experience an improvement, which the specialists point out will be much greater in the long term.     

The drug offers the possibility of improving the living conditions of people with rheumatoid arthritis, who have significant physical limitations.    There is confidence in the drug developed by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, since this prestigious institution also gave life to the Abdala anticovid vaccine, with an efficacy of more than 92% and also used in other countries.   

Also to its credit are the growth factor, the vaccine against hepatitis B and the well-known HEBERPROT-P against diabetic foot ulcer.   

Cuban biotechnology has earned a place worldwide for the efficacy and safety of its drugs against different ailments, which have been of great benefit to countless people not only in Cuba, but also in other countries.