The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced today that a cooperation 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. In terms of this agreement the commercialisation process will be led by the CSIR in collaboration with national and regional stakeholders, and has the full support of the South African San Council. Phytopharm is committed to support this development effort by sharing supporting intellectual property and the know-how and will share benefit from future commercialisation income.

Johan Hattingh, the CSIR¿s Group Manager Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer (IPTT), states that this provides a unique opportunity for South Africa and the region to build on the vast knowledge generated from cultivation to multiple clinical studies, to potentially develop a new product derived from Hoodia Gordonii, effective in the management and prevention of obesity.

He further states that the challenges must not be underestimated and that the development of an effective Hoodia based product will need scientific innovation and substantial investment in order for it to be successful. This will require a collective and inclusive effort from all relevant South African and regional stakeholders to ensure that we are successful. As a first step, a detailed scientific review of all the associated Hoodiaprogramme know-how and clinical study findings will be initiated, co-opting external experts, with a view to advising the CSIR and our Southern African stakeholders as to further development options for products based on Hoodia gordonii.

Enquiries:
Johan Hattingh
CSIR’s Group Manager Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer
Tel: 012 841 2080
E-mail: jhattingh@csir.co.za

Dr Vinesh Maharaj
Research group leader Bio-prospecting
Tel: 012 841 3295
E-mail: vmaharaj@csir.co.za