Bai Xianhong, director of the Chinese-Cuban joint venture Biotech Pharma (BPL), praised the biotechnological cooperation between the two nations and its positive impact on his country.

Beijing.- Interviewed by Prensa Latina, the executive thanked Cuban experts for their contributions to the approval process of Nimotuzumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody to treat patients with pancreatic cancer.

Clinical trials in 23 centers nationwide validated the Cuban drug’s efficacy, so the National Medical Products Administration of China approved its use to treat the disease, Bai recalled.

He noted that Nimotuzumab was the first product approved for commercialization by BPL and the first humanized monoclonal antibody in China since 2008, with positive results to treat nasopharyngeal cancer patients.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the most deadly tumors globally and is hard to diagnose early. Most patients are already at an advanced stage, the methods to fight it are limited, and the mortality rate is high, he stated.

Yanet Borrego, deputy director general and representative of the Cuban vice presidency of BPL, told Prensa Latina recently that the decision by the National Medical Products Administration confirms the results of years of work.

“The Communist Party of China and the Government have granted great importance to the prevention and treatment of tumors, so I think that the success of clinical research and the launch of products such as Nimotuzumab follow the strategic national goal of a healthy China,” Borrego stressed. (PL)