Phytopharm Satisfied With Progress of Their Hoodia Gordonii Extract

A few months back, I wrote about Phytopharm’s progress on their hoodia weight loss supplement. I reported that according to an article I read, the company was set to launch a hoodia gordonii extract product in the second half of 2009. As it turns out, that may not be the case.

In earlier news this week, it was reported that Phytopharm and its partner, Unilever, are actually on track to seek approval from the Food and Drug Administration GRAS (generally regarded as safe) of its hoodia gordonii extract product in late 2009. They expect to have a weight loss product available within three years. It is believed the product will most likely be part of Unilever’s SlimFast line of weight loss products.

What this latest article tells me is that we probably won’t see a SlimFast product containing hoodia gordonii extract any time soon. My guess is that won’t happen until 2012 at the earliest - and that’s assuming the FDA approval process goes without a hitch. Even Phytopharm is aware of potential hurdles it faces seeking approval.

The company said its products, “may not meet the necessary requirements in terms of toxicity, efficacy or safety,” or that “relevant regulators may not agree with the results of the Group’s research and may require further testing or withhold approval altogether.”

Phytopharm is currently working with Unilever in the research and development stages prior to submission for GRAS notification. Conducting consumer studies that will evaluate reductions in calorie intake as part of a weight management program is part of the research. During the six month period ending March 31, 2008, just over £2m was spent on hoodia research. The hoodia gordonii extract ingredient, P57, is patented in the U.S., U.K., Europe, and Japan and is pending patents in other regions.

Source: NutraIngredients.com