Deal to make San slimming drug

The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) says it has signed a deal with a UK pharmaceutical company to develop an anti-obesity drug from a plant used by the San people.

"A co-operation agreement has been signed with Phytopharm, a United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical development and functional food company, for further development and commercialisation of Hoodia Gordonii for the management of obesity," the council said.

The commercialisation process would be led by the CSIR and had the full support of the South African San Council, it added.

CSIR group manager for intellectual property and technology transfer Johan Hattingh said the project would require "scientific innovation and substantial investment in order for it to be successful".

Clinical studies would be conducted with the help of outside experts to advise the CSIR on the option for developing products using the plant known by the San as "kanna" and "kougoed".

Source: The Times