Understanding Heberprot-P: A Breakthrough in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Treatment

Heberprot-P is a unique Cuban biotechnology product. It contains a recombinant (lab-made) human Epidermal Growth Factor (hEGF) — a protein that helps skin and tissue cells grow and heal. It is given by injection directly into the edges of complex diabetic foot ulcers (open wounds on the feet that are hard to heal). Developed by the Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (CIGB) in Havana, it offers a treatment option for wounds that have not responded to standard care.

The clinical challenge is significant: diabetic foot ulcers are among the most serious complications of diabetes and frequently lead to amputation when standard treatments fail. Heberprot-P is injected directly into the wound edges, usually three times a week for up to eight weeks, stimulating cell growth and tissue regeneration at the wound site. It is combined with standard wound care — cleaning, removing dead tissue, proper dressings, and taking pressure off the foot.

Heberprot-P is registered in more than 26 countries and has been used to treat thousands of patients. Clinical studies have shown significant healing rates in ulcers that did not respond to standard treatment, with a marked reduction in amputation risk. Individual results vary based on wound characteristics and the patient's overall health.