This is the last article you can read this month
You can read more article this month
You can read more articles this month
Sorry your limit is up for this month
Reset on:
Please help support the Morning Star by subscribing here
CUBA has developed a new peptide that may be effective in the treatment of those with Covid-19, its Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology (CIGB) says.
CIGB researcher Dr Gillian Martinez Donato explained that the CIGB-258 protein can be effective in treating patients presenting with viral infections and inflammation, helping to regulate the immune system.
It has been trialled on 12 patients with symptoms associated with the severe stages of Covid-19 and on 19 in the critical stages of the virus. The first group had a 92 per cent survival rate, while the second group’s was 72 per cent.
Dr Martinez explained that the newly developed peptide is safe and is showing signs of efficacy in patients with rheumatoid arthritis, by reducing the symptoms associated with the condition.
“A phase-two clinical trial is currently under way in 187 patients with rheumatoid arthritis, and the results will be ready by the end of 2020,” she said.
Cuban Health Minister Jose Angel Portal Miranda welcomed the contribution of the state-owned pharmaceutical and biotechnological industries in the development of drugs to treat Covid-19.
