COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COARMLC) has refuted recent media reports alleging that its new product, COA-72, is undergoing clinical trials as an HIV treatment.
The company responded to a widely circulated story published by the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, calling it “misleading” and “inaccurate.” According to a statement signed by COARMLC’s management on Monday, July 28, 2025, the publication misrepresented information shared during a Parliamentary Select Committee on Health’s visit to the company’s facilities.
COARMLC clarified that while its CEO and founder, Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, did speak about his long-standing vision of finding a natural cure for HIV — a goal he publicly declared in 2005 — he did not state that COA-72 is undergoing formal clinical trials. The company emphasized its commitment to upholding scientific integrity and complying with all regulatory requirements, both locally and internationally.
The firm explained that COA-72 is a new formulation derived from nearly two decades of plant-based pharmaceutical research. It is currently not approved for HIV treatment, nor has it entered any FDA-approved clinical trial. While internal and pre-clinical studies show encouraging signs — including antiviral and anticancer potential — COARMLC stated that such findings cannot substitute for official regulatory evaluation.
In response to the misreporting, COARMLC promptly reached out to the Daily Graphic, resulting in a rejoinder published on July 17, 2025. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana also issued a public disclaimer confirming that no clinical trial approval had been granted for COA-72 as an anti-HIV drug.
COARMLC confirmed that it applied for trial approval from the FDA in 2019. The application, acknowledged in a letter dated October 29, 2019 (Ref: FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059), outlined conditions yet to be fulfilled before formal testing can begin.
Despite early-stage reports showing reductions in HIV viral load and even possible viral clearance in some studies, COARMLC stressed that these are not recognized as clinical evidence. The company reiterated its readiness to work with the FDA, WHO, and credible research institutions in the future and emphasized that public trust and regulatory compliance remain central to its operations.
The management concluded by expressing regret over any public confusion caused and appealed to the media for responsible and accurate journalism going forward.
Source: Wesleyannews.com
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