Therapies for COVID-19 are Next in the Pipeline

This week, experts shared their efforts to continue improving healthcare and agreed that the innovative use of technology can enhance the reach of their solutions. Meanwhile, researchers are developing therapies for COVID-19.

This and more in The Week in Health!

Children Vaccination

Mexico’s government adjusted its National Vaccination Policy to allow teenagers between 12 and 17 years of age with comorbidities to receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Registration for this group will begin on October 1.

COVID-19 Treatments

Mexican company, Inosan Biopharma announced that its immunotherapy for COVID-19, “Inosars,” is under clinical evaluation at San Jose Hospital of TecSalud, which is following a protocol previously approved by COFEPRIS. Inosars is an immunotherapeutic based on equine F(ab')2 fragments that specifically bind and neutralize the SARS-CoV-2 virus. This product aims to reduce the severity and the risk of clinical complications in patients with COVID-19. Juan Silanes, CEO of Inosan Biopharma, told MBN that “treatments must be included in preventive measures. These and vaccines have different goals and are critical for different moments in terms of contact with the virus.”

Merck, Pfizer, Novartis, Enanta, Pardes Biosciences and Shionogi & Co are separately working on a COVID-19 antiviral pill, which would fight the virus early in the course of infection and potentially save lives.

Mexican Vaccine Against COVID-19

President Andrés Manuel López Obrador announced this Wednesday morning that the Mexican Patria COVID-19 vaccine is already in Phase 2 clinical trials. The Patria vaccine project was selected by the National Committee of Technology and Innovation in Public Health and coordinated by CONACYT. Its development involved the collaboration of scientists from national and international universities, Avimex, the National Public Health Institutes and IMSS.

A Vaccine for Chikungunya

IPN scientists, in collaboration with the universities of Oxford and Texas, successfully concluded the first human trials of a vaccine to prevent Chikungunya virus infection transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes. The vaccine is based on the adenovirus ChAdOx1, which has been used by Oxford and AstraZeneca as a vaccine platform for COVID-19, explained in a press release Arturo Reyes-Sandoval, Director General of IPN.  Learn more about the development here.

Experts of the Week

• Sandra Cifuentes, LatAm Area Lead of Astellas, shared the company’s expectations entering this new market. Learn their success in Latin America and its goals for the region.
• Florencia Davel, General Manager Latam Bristol Myers Squibb, discussed the value of biopharmaceutical companies in combating chronic diseases in Mexico. For the complete interview, visit this link.
• Carlos Flores, CIO of Nadro, explained the role of technology in the national pharmaceutical distribution business. Find out more about the company’s use of technological tools here.
• Antonio Loaeza, Country Medical Director of Sanofi Genzyme, discussed the role of this special care unit at Sanofi and how it has contributed to alleviate several diseases.
• Pablo Cubela, IT Director of Bupa Mexico, shared the value of technology for insurers and its crucial role in protecting information. Do not miss the full interview.
• Víctor Medina, Acting President of Health Level Seven México (HL7), introduced a protocol for the protection of health data interoperability. Learn more about it here.
• Cristóbal Thompson, Executive Director of AMIIF, shared exclusive data on the value of the pharmaceutical industry in Mexico and discussed the association’s efforts to enhance access to innovation in Mexico. Read his interview here.
• Nicole von Mohr, General Manager Breathing Circuits of Atramat, addressed how the company’s innovation and efforts to continue serving the global market. Check out her interview here.
• Everardo Barojas, Director General of pioneer of digital prescriptions company Prescrypto, discussed the reasons behind its significant growth in the last couple of months. Learn more about the company and its expansion here.