This Cuban anti-COVID-19 vaccine candidate is designed to be taken via the nose, and could be used as a boost dose. This was explained by its developers form the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB).

This formula, which has been named Mambisa, is meant for children in a convalescent state, and also for strengthening the immunological system, explained Gerardo Guillén, Director of CIGB’s Biomedical Research, in a press conference.

It is the second of the CIGB’s anti-COVID-19 formulas, and takes as an antigen the AgsHB protein preset in the virus of the Hepatitis B, which has the ability of stimulating the immune response at a mucus level; the first barrier against a pathogen.

While explaining the study’s design, he pointed out that a 50% of SARS-CoV-2 positive cases are asymptomatic, thus, these people can develop a weak immune response. There is no guarantee that they can be protected, and they could be infected again, he explained.

This vaccine does not need to be injected, it is very safe and patient-friendly, mentioned Guillén after giving details about the benefits of Cuban anti-COVID-19 formula projects based on existing platforms.

On the other hand, he explained that the formulas created with this technology can use multiple doses, which differs from those developed around the world, which are created with techniques not used in registered vaccines, which evoke many uncertainties respecting their safety.

Abdala is another of the CIGB’s projects. This one comes in an injectable form, and will start phase III of clinical testing on next Monday, with 48 000 volunteers in three eastern provinces: Santiago de Cuba, Granma, and Guantánamo.

They are both part of a group of five vaccine candidates which Cuba develops in order to immunize its population form SARS-CoV-2, during this 2021.

The other three candidates are being developed by the Finlay Vaccine Institute. Soberana 01 and Soberana 02, are in phase III of clinical testing, and there is also Soberana Plus, which is proposed to be used in convalescents.

Source: Prensa Latina