Cuba and NIPRD may collaborate on clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine

Investigations have revealed that Cuban scientists and the National Institute for Pharmaceutical Research and Development (NIPRD) may begin collaborating on clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine.

The collaborative efforts in Nigeria will also include the development of locally produced vaccines for a variety of diseases, including COVID-19.

Our investigation revealed that the collaborative effort is the result of Her Excellency, Clara M. Pulido-Escandel, the Cuban Ambassador to Nigeria, visiting NIPRD headquarters in Abuja a few months ago.

The source did not say which of the medicines or vaccines will be tested in the partnership’s clinical trials.

However, a top source familiar with the situation in NIPRD confirmed that scientists from Cuba and NIPRD may begin work soon.

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Clinical trials of Saberena 1&2, Melagenina, and other products, therapeutics, general Research and Development (R&D), drug discovery and diagnostic kit development, and vaccine research and development are some of the areas of interest in the two countries’ collaborative efforts, according to the source.

The effort, according to the source, is a step in the right direction for NIPRD and Nigeria as a whole, because NIPRD and Cuba, he claims, have some of the best minds in R&D in the world.

According to the source, the effort will put an end to Nigeria’s difficulties in obtaining the COVID-19 vaccine because the vaccines will be produced locally following the clinical trials.

According to the source, NIPRD will bring over 20 internationally renowned top-class scientists to collaborate with Cuban scientists in the near future.

Despite the fact that the effort will benefit both countries in terms of skills exchange toward achieving medicines security, according to the source, NIPRD will benefit from Cuba, which has achieved reasonable self-sufficiency in vaccine development and production.

“As you are aware, Nigeria is working hard to ensure that we have the COVID-19 vaccine, as well as other vaccines and drugs developed locally. This collaboration will allow Nigeria to expedite the process.

“No single person or country possesses all of the world’s knowledge; therefore, this effort is timely because it will allow Nigeria and Cuba to share vital knowledge and experience in critical areas such as clinical trials and natural product vaccine production.

“All processes are currently being worked out, and it may start soon,” said the source, who asked to remain anonymous because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the matter.

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It will be recalled that during the height of the COVID-19 outbreak in Nigeria, NIPRD developed hand sanitizers under the direction of its current Director General, Dr. Obi Adigwe, to address shortages and supply chain disruptions caused by the COVID-19 virus.

Because the formulas were said to be contextual to Nigeria’s environment and in terms of ensuring activity against the spread of the coronavirus, the sanitisers were adjudged to be among the highest quality.

NIPRD also created a database for local pharmaceutical companies that have been granted licenses to manufacture hand sanitizers in Nigeria.