In the second funding announcement of this week, PharmaLinks, the collaborative initiative between the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde, has won a £1m research contract from Hyundai Pharmaceutical (Korea) to develop an anti-obesity drug discovered at Strathclyde's Institute for Drug Research. Researchers have found that a component from an extract of a traditionally used medicinal plant may cause sustained weight loss, without reduction in food intake and without toxic side effects. If successful, the project could lead to new medicines for the treatment of obesity.

Obesity is often a chronic condition and results in an increased incidence of diseases such as coronary heart disease, hypertension, stroke, diabetes, colonic cancer and arthritis. A Public Accounts Committee report showed that obesity is linked to 30,000 deaths annually in the UK, shortening life by an average of nine years. The NHS costs associated with obesity are calculated to be about half a billion pounds per annum.

Welcoming the award, Professor Alan Harvey, Director of PharmaLinks at the University of Strathclyde, said: 'This funding from Hyundai Pharmaceutical is excellent news. We are very encouraged by our findings and welcome the opportunity to continue our research, with a view to developing advanced, anti-obesity drugs. With Hyundai's support, we will use genomic techniques to understand our compound's unique mechanism of action. PharmaLinks researchers in both universities will also work closely with local clinical groups studying the genetic basis of obesity.'

Principal investigator, Dr Brian Furman of the University of Strathclyde, added: 'I am delighted with the news of this funding which will enable us to take another important step forward in developing this molecule into a potential medicine for the treatment of obesity, which is a major health problem. We need first of all to understand how this drug works and secondly to produce more powerful derivatives which will be safe and effective when taken by obese people'

Professor Michael Lean, Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow and Consultant Physician at Glasgow Royal Infirmary, is on the project's advisory board. Setting the research in context, he said: 'Understanding of obesity and weight management is evolving rapidly, to respond to the emerging epidemic of obesity and all its secondary conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, heart disease and stroke, as well as the plethora of aggravated symptoms such as tiredness, depression, breathlessness and pains in joints.

'Medical treatment has changed from recognising that quite modest, achievable weight loss of 5ﾖ10kg can bring major medical benefits, and the emphasis has shifted towards effective longﾖterm prevention of weight gain. A lot can be achieved by diet and lifestyle advice, but many people cannot sustain lifelong changes or lack access to help. Optimal medical care, through the NHS, needs to include appropriate drug treatment and even surgery for some cases. The existing drugs are safe and effective, but not in every case. There is a worldwide need for new, safe, drugs to be used at earlier stages to help manage obesity and prevent the need for large numbers of drugs for secondary conditions, as well as a lot of suffering.'

Mr Tae-Ha Lee, Vice President of Hyundai Pharmaceutical said: 'Our company is delighted to co-operate with competent scientists at the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde on this project. Research funding is a priority for Hyundai Pharmaceutical and we hope that when this project is successfully completed, we will continue further development with PharmaLinks.'

PharmaLinks is grateful for assistance from Scottish Development International (SDI) who introduced Hyundai Pharmaceuticals to Scotland, through the SDI's ongoing biotechnology collaboration programme in Korea.

Media Relations Office (media@gla.ac.uk)

PharmaLinks is the alliance of the biomedical and pharmaceutical research strengths of the Universities of Glasgow and Strathclyde that aims to provide an integrated drug discovery environment for collaborations with pharmaceutical companies worldwide. PharmaLinks comprises researchers with interests relating to all elements within the drug discovery and development process.

The University of Glasgow's strengths in the molecular and cellular biosciences and clinical medicine are complemented by the University of Strathclyde's expertise in pharmacy, pharmacology and the Strathclyde Institute for Drug Research (SIDR).

Strong working ties exist between University scientists, the medical faculty and the major hospitals, resulting in fundamental research being driven by knowledge of medical need.

Hyundai Pharmaceutical was founded in 1965 and is based in Seoul, Korea. The company's main business is the manufacture and distribution of pharmaceutical products, health food drinks, medical equipment and diagnostics.

For further information on Scottish Development International (SDI), contact Angela Davey, Senior Executive (Trade) of SDI, tel: 0141 228 2828, email: angela.davey@scotent.co.uk

For further information on PharmaLinks contact: Professor Alan Harvey, Director, PharmaLinks, tel: 0141 553 4155, email: a.l.Harvey@strath.ac.uk or see PharmaLinks

For further information on obesity contact: Professor Michael Lean, Professor of Human Nutrition at the University of Glasgow, tel: 0141 211 4686, email: lean@clinmed.gla.ac.uk or see Human Nutrition

For University of Glasgow, please contact the Press Office on 0141 330 3535 or j.hodgson@admin.gla.ac.uk

First published: 28 November 2002