Cuba has developed a new drug that it plans to test on patients with melanoma, a severe form of skin cancer.

Operativ Media reports that this was announced by Cuban Prime Minister Manuel Marrero Cruz.

The drug, named 2C12, was developed by specialists at the Cuban Center of Molecular Immunology.

According to the developers, its mechanism of action is similar to pembrolizumab, a substance that helps the body's immune system fight cancer cells.

It was noted that 2C12 cannot yet be considered a proven, effective cancer treatment. The drug is currently being prepared for clinical trials to test its safety and efficacy. The first trials will be conducted on patients with advanced melanoma. Doctors from several medical institutions in Havana and Villa Clara Province will participate in the research.

Cuban authorities are considering developing their own drugs to make modern cancer treatments more accessible to residents.