By María Josefina Arce

The study of NeuralCim, a neuroprotective drug for people with mild or moderate Alzheimer's disease, is progressing throughout Cuba, as a result of research carried out by the renowned Center for Molecular Immunology.
    
According to the researchers, two trials are being carried out, which began last February. One takes place in Havana and the other in the rest of the national territory, since each one has its own characteristics, although the objective is the same.
     
Thus, more than 400 patients are participating in this phase 3 clinical trial in the Cuban capital, while in the rest of the country's provinces, 1,456 individuals are taking part.
  
The aim is to increase and confirm all the information already available on efficacy and safety in order to obtain the definitive registration of the drug by the CECMED (Center for State Control of Medicines, Equipment and Medical Devices).
    
After evaluating the documentation submitted by the Center for Molecular Immunology, in March of last year CECMED granted the conditional sanitary registration to NeuralCim, which represents hope for an increasingly aging population.
   
According to the National Statistics and Information Office, by the end of 2022, 22.3% of the Cuban population had surpassed 60 years of age.
    
Moreover, as health authorities have reminded, Cuba does not have access to existing drugs in the world for this devastating ailment, hence the importance of developing our own drug.
    
This entire process is being supervised by the National Coordinating Center for Clinical Trials, which is in charge of monitoring good clinical practices in the different research institutions.
    
NeuralCim has shown to have fewer side effects than other internationally marketed drugs and to slow down cognitive deterioration, while improving the quality of life of people with Alzheimer's disease.
     
Expectations about NeuralCim are high, and if its efficacy and safety are confirmed, it will be an important achievement for Cuba and, above all, very good news for Alzheimer patients and their families, as it will offer another perspective of life.