The term Phytopharm Hoodia relates to the U.K. biotech company Phytopharm involved in the further research and development of Hoodia Gordonii synthesization; the mystic cactus plant from Kalahari deserts of South Africa. Hoodia came to limelight in the U.S. when CBS 60 minutes presented some of the startling facts and qualities of the plant in November 2004 that could help obese or overweight people to loose weight without the sufferings of starvation. The initial research to isolate the components of Hoodia started more than 30 years back. The S.A.N.L. (South African National Laboratory) was eventually able to isolate and identify the active compounds of Hoodia that are responsible for suppression of appetite in 1997. This compound was named "P57" and S.A.N.L. patented and licensed all research and development to Phytopharm.
Soon after receiving the licensing agreement, the company actively went on to develop Phytopharm Hoodia, a new drug for obesity, based on Hoodia Gordonii active ingredients. By mid 1997, Phytopharm team of researchers led by Dr Richard Dixey, accomplished their initial success with pre-clinical trial testing of the compound and other related compounds for the drug development.
In 1998, Phytopharm Hoodia for anti-obesity entered PHASE 1 clinical trial. The trial was a major success with more than 70% success rate among the participants who successfully managed to accomplish their weight loss objectives. Later on, Phytopharm went into collaboration with the big giant Pfizer Inc. to develop and commercialize Phytopharm Hoodia as a prescription drug in the United States and Worldwide. The partnership with Pfizer was renewed and extended in year 2000.
Year 2001 brought FDA approval for "Proof of Principle" PHASE 1 clinical study on Phytopharm Hoodia for the treatment of obesity. The stage I and II of the phase were successfully completed in July 2001 with the final conclusion coming in December of the same year. In March 2003, Phase II b clinical trials concluded that Phytopharm Hoodia successfully "demonstrated anti-obesity activity" in which 18 overweight but otherwise healthy males participated. The study was clear statistical evidence in which the subjects reduced daily caloric intake and reduced body fat over the two-week clinical trial period.
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