Cuba could soon have a nationally produced PCR ready, which, in addition to contributing to the health system in confronting the pandemic, would also have repercussions from an economic point of view.
As explained to the Escambray newspaper, Doctor of Science Enrique Rosendo Pérez, director of the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Sancti Spíritus, the cost of this test manufactured on the island, compared to imported ones, can be reduced by around half, a significant figure when it is known that today they cost 11 dollars each, but at times of greatest demand they cost between 50 and 60 dollars.
Having reached this point of progress, he stressed, is the result of the collaboration of the National Center for Biopreparations, the Center for Advanced Studies, the CIGB of Havana and Sancti Spíritus, as well as the Immunoassay Center.
The responsibility of our team, the manager elaborated, was to produce enzymes, a product consolidated for years by us, which is Taq Polymerase, and the other is reverse transcriptase, which was a longer process.
“Fortunately, at the beginning of the year we achieved it. Trials and evaluations have been carried out and we are in a position to supply the amount demanded by a scenario where 3,000 to 25,000 daily tests are needed at the national level,” he assured.
If there are no enzymes or catalysts, the product does not exist, and that is provided by us, he said. “Now, in order to achieve 100% technological sovereignty, we are trying to obtain other additives that are carried by the reaction and that sometimes have to be imported.”
The nationally produced PCR, which is about to hit the market, is undergoing performance studies and evaluations by third parties to confirm its effectiveness.
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