New Cuban Vaccine Developed Against Chronic Hepatitis B

HAVANA, Cuba, CMC – A new Cuban vaccine for the treatment of chronic hepatitis B is currently undergoing clinical trials in Cuba and eight Asian countries, with the cooperation of the French company Abivax.

Researchers say the new product – HeberNasvac developed by researchers of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), has proved to be more effective and safer than the rest of those existing in the world  against the illness.

Studies of clinical evaluation have been approved by regulatory authorities in Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, the Philippines and Thailand.

According to the World Health Organization, chronic liver disease caused by the hepatitis B virus is one of the main causes of liver cancer, liver cirrhosis, and other complications such as esophageal varicose veins.

Each year about one million deaths have been attributed to infection by the virus.