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<font size="1"><a href="http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2020-04-27/another-covid-19-medication-under-development-in-cuba">http://en.granma.cu/cuba/2020-04-27/another-covid-19-medication-under-development-in-cuba</a>
</font><h1 class="gmail-reader-title">Another COVID-19 medication under development in Cuba</h1>
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<p><span class="gmail-g-story-author"><a href="http://en.granma.cu/archivo?a=1130" rel="author" title="Más artículos de Yenia Silva Correa"><span class="gmail-byline-author">Yenia Silva Correa</span></a> | </span>April 27, 2020</p>
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<p>MedSol Laboratories is working to develop the antiretroviral
medication Kaletra, a drug that has shown its effectiveness worldwide in
combating COVID-19.</p>
<p>According to Adalberto Izquierdo Castro, head of Research and
Development at MedSol's production unit (UEB) Novatec, the drug is in
the development stage, with three pilot batches produced and
physical-chemical analyses conducted.</p>
<p>Izquierdo told ACN that the next step would be to compare the Cuban
product with the lead product. With positive results obtained, it can be
registered by the Center for State Control of Drugs, Equipment and
Medical Devices. He explained that once the medication is registered and
required raw material acquired, Novatec is in a position to begin
production, adding, "The tests that are being carried out on the Cuban
version of this drug have shown satisfactory results.”</p>
<p>Kaletra, a drug used in treating HIV/AIDS, is an antiretroviral
combination of Lopinavir and Ritonavir. Producing the medication in Cuba
would eliminate the need for imports, and allow for a lower cost of
production.</p>
<p>It is currently produced by powerful transnational pharmaceutical
companies with advanced technology. Launching production here of a drug
with the same specifications requires technological adaptations, but, in
the long term, it could be exported.</p>
<div><p>Along with recombinant human Interferon Alpha 2b, a drug that
stimulates antiviral mechanisms; Oseltamivir, a selective inhibitor of
the neuraminidase of the flu virus; and Chloroquine (anti-malarial),
Kaletra is among medications used in treating COVID-19 patents in Cuba.</p></div> </div></div></div>
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