Cuban vaccine project against COVID-19 called Abdala (CIGB-66), obtained by researchers from the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB), an entity belonging to the BioCubaFarma Business Group . Authorized by the Center for State Control of Drugs, Medical Devices and Equipment (CECMED), the initiation of clinical trials began in Santiago de Cuba the 2 of December of 2020 and will run until February of 2021to evaluate the safety of the vaccine candidate in healthy people and the ability to induce the production of antibodies that enhance the adequate response of the body against the SARS-CoV-2 virus , which causes the disease.
The vaccine candidate is being injected into 200 adult subjects of both sexes resident in the city with a negative PCR who participate in the study voluntarily, among whom healthy people with controlled chronic diseases have been chosen. The second phase will take place from February onwards, and will include about 600 volunteers who will be summoned in due course.