Phytopharm Still Researching Hoodia P57 Molecule

Phytopharm announced in April 2006 that they had just completed the first phase of a five stage research program related to the hoodia p57 molecule. Stage 3 was completed in September 2007, leaving still two more stages to go. What this means to dieters is that pure hoodia p57 from Phytopharm is still unavailable.

First a little background. Scientists in South Africa at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) have known for more than forty years that hoodia could probably be used as an appetite suppressant. They studied many plants indigenous to South Africa, looking for potential food products and testing for toxicity. It was much later before Phytopharm, a British pharmaceutical company, became involved. In 1995, Phytopharm, working with the CSIR, identified and patented a molecule in hoodia, p57, which they believe to be the active appetite suppressant in hoodia gordonii. Building on and adding to the research performed by the CSIR, Phytopharm sub-licensed the rights to develop pure hoodia p57 to the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer. At this time Phytopharm hoped to come up with a semi-synthetic form of hoodia p57 and they may still be working on this idea, but their new relationship with Unilever (makers of Slim Fast) is focused on the development of a dietary supplement. They are looking for a new partner to help with research and development of a prescription drug that may be useful in treating metabolic problems related to obesity. This drug will also be based on the hoodia p57 molecule.