Nimotuzumab (h-R3), a Cuban anti-EGFR monoclonal antibody
Nimotuzumab (h-R3), anticuerpo monoclonal anti-EGFR cubano
- Date
- 1994-2002 · confidence medium
- Place
- Centre of Molecular Immunology, Havana, Cuba
- Credited to
- Centre of Molecular Immunology (Cuba), with Rolando Pérez, Tania Crombet and colleagues
- Field
- Life & health
What it is
A humanised antibody against the epidermal growth factor receptor developed in Cuba and authorised in the country in the early 2000s for head and neck tumours and gliomas. It was one of the few oncology antibodies developed in the developing world to reach the clinic.
The approval date depends on the country (Cuba 2002-2004; India 2006) and the indication; development began in the 1990s. Overall efficacy is modest and debated in some tumours.
What it led to
- oncological treatments with less skin toxicity than other anti-EGFR drugs
- licences to India, China and other countries
- consolidation of Cuba's biotechnology industry