Researchers
from the Centro Nacional de Biopreparados (BioCen) developed the first means of
transport for viruses obtained in Cuba for the collection and transfer of
clinical nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal samples from patients for the
diagnosis of SARS-COV-2, the causal agent of COVID -19.
BioCen achieved and industrially scaled the product in just seven days and,
subsequently, received its Sanitary Registration, granted by the State Center
for the Control of Medicines, Medical Equipment and Devices (Cecmed).
This guarantees the continuity of the microbiological diagnosis and, therefore,
of the epidemiological surveillance and control of the disease on the Island,
contributing to the immediate establishment of measures that minimize the
transmission of the contagious disease, in addition to increasing the active
investigation of potential cases, including asymptomatic ones.
Its creation was due to the close collaboration between BioCen and the Pedro
Kourí Institute of Tropical Medicine. Other institutions of the Health system
and BioCubaFarma contributed to its evaluation, including the Center for
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), the Provincial Center for Hygiene
and Epidemiology of Havana, and the Salvador Allende hospital.
Among the advantages of the new product is that it enables the adequate
preservation of the samples, from the moment they are collected in the health
care centers and isolation, until their processing by RT-PCR in the different
molecular biology laboratories.
Doctor of Science Marilyn Díaz Pérez, researcher at BioCen and main author of
the innovative contribution, told Granma that the means of transport for
viruses was developed under strict compliance with the most demanding
international standards and based on a quality management system certified by
ISO 9001 standards for more than 20 years, and in compliance with good
manufacturing practices.
She indicated that its production in Cuba provides technological sovereignty
and substitutes imports, since similar products are sold in the international
market at high prices.
Marilyn Díaz, Doctor of Science, specified that, from April to the first days
of October, the National Health System received more than 100,000 units of the
means of transport for viruses.
Increasing production and reaching 10,000 units a day is now the purpose of the
institution, said the scientist.
With the manufacture of the transporter and the swab, developed in parallel by
the Center for Neurosciences of Cuba (Cneuro) for taking the samples, the
diagnostic package is completed, a basic element in the confrontation with the
current epidemiological contingency in the Greater of the Antilles.
Source: Source: Granma / Author: Orfilio Peláez
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