Production conceived by Cuban scientists starts in China


La Habana, 26 sep (AIN)--

A plant for the production of humanised monoclonal antibodies, was
opened in the development zone of Beijing, China's capital. The
installation houses the joit Cuban/Chinese company Biotechnical
Pharmaceutical, which will from now on take charge of the production
and commercialisation of the hR-3 antibody, aimed at the combined
treatment of head and neck cancer, obtained by scientists of the
Molecular Immunology Centre (CIM in Spanish), stated a report from
today's Prensa Latina.

hR-3 is registered by the Chinese and Cuban regulatory authorities
with patents granted in Canada, the USA, China and several European
countries. The inauguration of the installation is included in the
numerous activities which form a part of the celebration of the 45th
anniversary of the establishment of relations between the Asian giant
and the Caribbean island on the 28th September 1960.

The inaugural act was presided over by Ricardo Carabrisas, Cuban
Government Minister and by Zhang Xiaoqiang, Vice President of the
National Commission for Development and Reform. Also present were
Agustin Lage, CIM's President and Alberto Rodr?guez Arufe, Cuba's
Ambassador to China. Carabrisas reminded the audience that the
decision taken by the Cuban people 45 years ago Made Cuba the first
country on the American continent to establish diplomatic links with
the People's Republic of China.

He highlighted the priority given by the governments of both
countries, in a sector which has a great impact on health, which made
possible the construction of the plant.

Carabrisas stressed that it was now time to start the production and
commercialisation of hR-3 which, undoubtedly, would bring economic
results but, above all, have a social impact by giving

Chinese patients a better quality of life and, why not, patients from
the Asian region generally.

http://www.ain.cubaweb.cu/secciones/ciencia.htm

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