Cuba's Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) reported that the transfer process for the production of the anti-COVID-19 Abdala vaccine in a new plant in the town of Mariel is still underway.

The entity in its Twitter profile highlights: "Abdala production is being transferred to the new CIGB Mariel plant. Validation and adjustment processes continue to be carried out. In the coming months our Cuban vaccine will be fully produced in these modern facilities".

Prensa Latina points out that Abdala, the first immunogen created in Latin America against COVID-19, is based on the receptor binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 virus spike protein, its most protruding segment.

This drug is intended to introduce antibodies that interfere with the entry of the pathogen into cells: a mechanism that is fundamental in all existing formulations of its type to generate protection. This formulation is adjuvant in aluminum hydroxide.

This medium details that the selection of the yeast Pichia pastoris as expression system is due to the experience of the CIGB in the use of the technological platform, cheaper in relation to others and, therefore, with the possibility of an advantage in terms of production costs.

As RBD is a covalently associated glycoprotein, Pichia pastoris saccharides provide it with an immune potentiating effect that favors immunogenicity. In fact, Abdala does not need a carrier protein to reach high levels of this indicator, evaluated in phases I-II of the clinical study.

The specific CIGB was designed by protein engineering, using structural bioinformatics computational methods aimed at increasing its similarity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The protein created stands out for its versatility, as it can be used as an immunogen alone and in the form of a hybrid nanoparticle.

After application of the three-dose formulation, Abdala has an efficacy of 92.28 percent, which places it among the best performing vaccines in the world.

The specific CIGB was designed by protein engineering, using structural bioinformatics computational methods aimed at increasing its similarity to the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

The protein created stands out for its versatility, as it can be used as an immunogen alone and in the form of a hybrid nanoparticle.

After application of the three-dose formulation, Abdala has an efficacy of 92.28 percent, which places it among the best performing vaccines in the world.