COVID-19 battle

A million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be available in April

A million doses of COVID-19 vaccines to be available in April
Dr. Vicente Vérez Bencomo, director of the Finlay Vaccine Institute, states that mass production of the Soberana series of candidate vaccines has begun, and one million doses will be on hand in April

Gladys Leydis Ramos Lópezfebruary 10, 2021 07:02:56

Leaders of the pharmaceutical company BioCubaFarma, the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, as well as the Finlay Institute offered an update on Cuba’s four vaccine candidates, on national television. Photo: Mesa Redonda


The director of the Finlay Vaccine Institute, Vicente Vérez Bencomo, stated that mass production of the Soberana series of candidate vaccines has begun, and Cuba can expect to have one million doses on hand in April.

He explained that the manufacturing process is underway for 100,000 doses to supply broader clinical trials of Soberana 01 and Soberana 02, and to support the needs of the country and other nations interested in the vaccine, PL reported.

Dr. Vérez indicated that Soberana 02 will begin phase III clinical studies March 1, with 42,600 volunteers. Eduardo Martínez Díaz, president of the BioCubaFarma Enterprise Group, said that the country has the capacity to supply these processes, and more will be created in the near future to guarantee the simultaneous production of Cuba’s four vaccines, the aforementioned, as well as the Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Center’s Mambisa and Abdala.

Regarding Soberana 01, Dr. Vérez reported that findings from phase I clinical trials have been very positive, and that the plan is to begin phase II-III in March.

At the end of February, clinical trials of both candidates will begin in the pediatric population, which will include patients from five to 18 years of age. At the same time, phase I trials will be conducted with convalescent patients exhibiting low antibody titers, after having been infected and at risk for re-infection.

Regarding the advantages of this candidate vaccine, the expert noted that it would constitute an ideal immunity booster for patients recovering from a sars-cov-2 infection, and also for those vaccinated with biotechnological products.

Blockade of Cuba

Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden Introduces Bill to End Cuba Embargo and Establish Normal Trade Relations

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FEBRUARY 05,2021

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Wyden Introduces Bill to End Cuba Embargo and Establish Normal Trade Relations

Washington, D.C. – Senate Finance Committee Chair Ron Wyden, D-Ore., last night introduced the U.S.-Cuba Trade Act of 2021 to repeal outdated sanctions on Cuba and establish normal trade relations with the island nation.

“Our nation’s embargo on Cuba is an artifact from the 1960s. To continue this outdated, harmful policy of isolation would be a failure of American leadership. While Trump increased tensions with Cuba during his disastrous time in office, I am optimistic about President Biden’s new diplomatic course,” Wyden said. “Regardless, Congress has a moral and economic obligation to the American people to improve U.S.-Cuban relations as swiftly and safely as possible.” 

The U.S.-Cuba Trade Act of 2021 would repeal the major statutes that codify sanctions against Cuba, including the Helms-Burton Act and the Cuban Democracy Act, as well as other provisions that affect trade, investment and travel with Cuba. It would also establish normal trade relations with the country.  

Joining Wyden on the bill were U.S. Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., Richard Durbin, D-Ill., and Jeff Merkley, D-Ore.

A copy of bill text is available here.