04 June 2020 – ICP-UCR and CCSS research on two potential drugs for COVID-19 treatment

Type of Intervention: Executive Order, Specific Action
Sectors Involved: Health, Research and Development
Intervention Categories: Drug-based measures; Research and development
Level of Jurisdiction: National
Lead People/Agency: This is a joint collaboration between Costa Rican health authorities and the Clodomiro Picado Institute research center from the University of Costa Rica.

Overview: Government of Costa Rica declares research to fight Covid-19 made by the Clodomiro Picado Institute of national interest. The project carried out by the University of Costa Rica (ICP-UCR) and the Costa Rican Social Security Fund (CCSS) to develop, produce and validate the therapeutic effectiveness of two drugs for the treatment of patients with COVID-19. This initiative seeks to promote that both public and private sector agencies, non-governmental organizations and international organizations contribute with material, economic and human resources for the successful completion of the project. In addition, it declares as a priority the development of the inter-institutional project that also involves the Costa Rican Institute for Research and Teaching in Nutrition and Health (INCIENSA), an institution attached to the Ministry of Health. This project aims to develop, produce and validate the therapeutic effectiveness of two therapeutic preparations of antibodies against the SARS-CoV-2 virus: one of human antibodies purified from the plasma of convalescent patients and the other of equine antibodies purified from the plasma of horses. immunized with viral proteins. These drugs will be an option to treat patients with COVID19 in a severe and critical state of the infection and thus improve their clinical course.
Full details here: https://www.presidencia.go.cr/comunicados/2020/06/gobierno-declara-de-interes-publico-y-nacional-investigaciones-del-instituto-clodomiro-picado-para-combatir-el-covid-19/

Type of Justification: Advice of EXTERNAL expert advisor or advisory committee
Source of Evidence or Justification: National – academic
Evidence/Justification: This is a joint collaboration between Costa Rican health authorities and the Clodomiro Picado Institute research center from the University of Costa Rica.