28th June 2009 - Sarawak closer to producing anti-HIV, cancer drugs

Sarawak closer to producing anti-HIV, cancer drugs

MIRI: Two researches carried out by the Sarawak Biodiversity Centre (SBC) on drugs obtained from local plant species to fight Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and cancer were now in their final stages.

The anti-HIV drug, obtained from Calanolide which is contained in the latex of Bintangor or Calophyllum tree, was now in the clinical trial stage that, among others, would test its side-effects before the drug could be available commercially.

The tests would still take sometime to be completed and would be carried out in collaboration with foreign researchers.

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