National Research and Development Platform for Novel Drug Development from Indigenous Medicinal Plants
The aim of this technology platform is to develop new medicines, based on indigenous plants and local knowledge, for the treatment of a number of diseases including malaria, tuberculosis (TB) and diabetes mellitus. It is anticipated that successful implementation of the platform would make possible discovery of 2-3 novel drugs entities, from the second year of implementation of the programme, and establishment of new agro-processing businesses for supply of plant material required for new drugs. The proposed project brings together a multi-disciplinary team with the technical skills, research facilities and strategic capability required to develop novel plant-based drugs.
Project leader and scientific director: Professor PI Folb
Refer to the Medical Research Council website at www.mrc.ac.za, with special reference to the following sections: