Geng Meiyu, key inventor of the drug GV-971, also a researcher of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences, shows the sample model of the new drug in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
The drug was developed with research efforts of 22 years.
SHANGHAI, Nov. 4, 2019 (Xinhua) -- A home-grown drug for treating Alzheimer's disease has been approved by the National Medical Products Administration of China to hit the market, according to its developers Saturday.
The drug, GV-971, was developed by Ocean University of China, Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences and Green Valley Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, after research efforts of 22 years.
A total of 1,199 persons participated in the three-phase clinical trials. The 36-week-long Phase 3 clinical study showed that the drug can improved cognition in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease, the developers said.
Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking ability, and the capability to carry out simple tasks. The disease affects about 48 million people worldwide, and the number is expected to increase with the aging population.
Geng Meiyu (C), key inventor of the drug GV-971, also a researcher of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences, discusses the research progress with her team at the Green Valley institute in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Geng Meiyu (front L), key inventor of the drug GV-971, also a researcher of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences, discusses the research progress with her team at the Green Valley institute in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Geng Meiyu (L), key inventor of the drug GV-971, also a researcher of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences, discusses the research progress with her colleague at the Green Valley institute in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Geng Meiyu (6th R), key inventor of the drug GV-971, also a researcher of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences, poses for a group photo with her team at the Green Valley institute in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Geng Meiyu (2nd L), key inventor of the drug GV-971, also a researcher of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences, introduces the invention of the new drug during a press conference in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)
Geng Meiyu (2nd L), key inventor of the drug GV-971, also a researcher of Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under Chinese Academy of Sciences, speaks about the invention of the new drug during a press conference in Shanghai, east China, Nov. 3, 2019. (Xinhua/Jin Liwang)■
