Beijing, November 8 (RHC) -- Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero visited on Wednesday the Sino-Cuban joint venture Biotech Pharma (BPL) and praised the production of medicines with high social impact in both countries.
The company's director, Bai Xianhong, explained that the objective is the research, development and production of innovative biomedical products such as drugs with monoclonal antibodies and therapeutic vaccines.
This feature makes them the first high-tech site in the Asian giant to develop antibody drugs, he said.
According to him, at present more than 1,000 hospitals have used the drugs produced by this company and more than 300,000 cancer patients have been treated. During the tour of the plant, the Cuban leader was interested in the particularities of production, the parts and machinery used, as well as the technology used in the laboratories.
Marrero spoke with Cuban and Chinese workers, whom he congratulated for their contribution to bilateral ties in biotechnology.
The Prime Minister praised the practical results of this collaboration and commented that they are an example for the rest of the joint ventures that arise between the two countries.
"For his commitment, leadership and solidarity, he was awarded two important distinctions, the Friendship Medal and the Carlos J. Finlay Medal," he recalled.
The Cuban premier emphasized that this development is in line with the country's priorities, "this is the maximum expression of science, innovation and high technology, aimed at one of the most sensitive issues, which is human health".
"There is a willingness to expand these links from the development of new joint projects," he added.
Bai Xianhong told him that among the company's achievements is the development of China's first humanized monoclonal antibody drug: Nimotuzumab.
The executive thanked the island's experts for their contributions to the approval process of this humanized monoclonal antibody Nimotuzumab for the treatment of pancreatic cancer.
Clinical studies in 23 centers throughout the country validated the efficacy of the drug, which led the National Drug Administration of China to approve its use to treat the disease, Bai recalled.
The director stressed that Nimotuzumab was the first product marketed by BPL and the first humanized monoclonal antibody in China since 2008, with very positive results in the fight against nasopharyngeal cancer.
He assured that GLP and the Center for Molecular Immunology of Cuba are making progress in the joint construction of clinical drug research laboratories within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. (Source: PL)
Prior to this meeting, Cuba and China signed cooperation agreements in the biotechnological area, on the occasion of the visit of the prime minister to the Asian giant.
Both parties signed two technology transfer agreements between the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology of the Caribbean nation and the joint venture Changchun Heber Biological Technology.
In addition, a memorandum of understanding was signed for the creation of a joint business venture between HubeiC&C Pharmaceutical and Dalmer. (Source:PL)
