Exercises, Health & Pills

P57 is a plant based product for the treatment of obesity which is now in clinical development. The product was licensed to Pfizer Inc in 1998 in a global licensing agreement.The cactus from which P57 was derived from the Hoodia Gordonii Cactus plant species.
P57 is a fully characterized extract derived from a single plant which is subject to patent applications covering raw materials, active substances and mode of action. It appears to have novel pharmacological properties and may in fact be the first ever true appetite suppressant to be discovered.
Unlike many of the conventional treatments currently available it has no effects on behavior. The mechanism of action is novel and distinct from those of recently available compounds.

Anecdotal reports of the use of P57 in humans show that it significantly reduces appetite, food intake and body weight. Considerable work has been undertaken to fractionate this plant material and a number of compounds have been isolated from the mixture, some of which have biological activity. The mechanism of action of P57 and its active constituents is currently under investigation. Additional pharmacological properties have recently been established.
Efficacy has been established with a profound weight loss and a good emergent safety profile. Considerable progress has been achieved with this project. Phase I clinical development continues alongside an extensive research program. In parallel to these activities, additional plantations for the plant material have been established world-wide in collaboration with the CSIR and Pfizer and a clinical supplies unit, dedicated to the manufacture of the material, has been opened in South Africa.