Filipino Researchers Beat Other Countries In Developing World’s First Anti-Dengue Drug

The first anti-dengue medicine in the world developed by Filipino researchers in the Philippines may be available by the end of next year.

Dr. Rita Grace Y. Alvero, program leader of the dengue herbal clinical trial from Pharmalytics Corp., told the “Talakayang HeaRTbeat” on Monday, December 16 that the researchers from Pharmalytics and De La Salle Medical and Health Sciences Institute have concluded Phase 1 of the clinical trial for the drug against dengue that they got from three plant components.

The Filipino scientists are hopeful that it will be approved for marketing by the end of 2020.

“We have completed the preclinical testing. We have completed the safety analysis in animals. We are now in human testing. We have just concluded the Phase 1 clinical trial. Based on our findings, there was no dose-limiting toxicity,” said Dr. Alvero.



She explained that the last cohort, or people who took the medicine, took 106 capsules of 400 mg of its three plant components and no toxicity was observed.

“We will probably start Phase 2 and Phase 3 by the first quarter of next year. We will end by the third quarter. Then, we will apply for marketing authorization. Hopefully, by the end of 2020, the anti-dengue drug may be out in the market,” explained Dr. Alvero.

Her announcement was met with a round of applause from officials of the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) and the Philippine Council for Health Research and Development (PCHRD), as well as expert doctors from the University of the Philippines-Diliman and Central Luzon State University.

Dr. Alvero, however, clarified that the anti-dengue drug will not be a herbal supplement.

“It is a drug. That means it has a scientific basis to back up the efficacy of the anti-dengue drug,” she said.

The dengue drug project by Dr. Alvero started in 2012, for a processing period of eight years.

The dengue research was part of the DOST’s Tuklas Lunas program to produce reliable and affordable medicines sourced from the country’s rich biodiversity.

A total of P1.5 billion was invested in the program since it started in 2011.

According to DOH records, a total of 414,532 dengue cases have been recorded nationwide from January 1 to November 30.

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Meanwhile, Director Dr. Jaime Montoya of PCHRD said he is “very excited” with the developments in making the anti-dengue drug.

“It is the very first in its class. No country, even the US, has an anti-dengue drug produced. We are looking forward to this. We have the best scientists, we have a rich biodiversity, which is the source of these natural medicines, and we have the support of the government, the Council and the department [DOST]. We have the best pool of scientists, of experts,” he said.

“We are very hopeful and optimistic that in the next few years, we are coming up with the very promising, very effective, affordable and safe drugs that will address the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country,” he added.

Source: BM