A Chinese research group announced progress in developing a drug to treat Alzheimer's disease on July 17.

GV-971 was developed by Ocean University of China, the Shanghai Institute of Materia Medica under the Chinese Academy of Sciences and Green Valley Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd, after a 21-year study.

A phase three clinical trial was its last test before reaching the market.

In the trial, participants took 450 mg GV-971 orally twice a day for 36 weeks, which proved effective in improving cognition. Independent animal experiments also showed that it can regulate the immune system, reduce neuro-inflammation and improve cognition.

Extracted from brown algae, the drug is targeted at patients with mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's.

Alzheimer's disease is an irreversible, progressive brain disorder that slowly destroys memory, thinking skills, and the ability to carry out simple tasks. The disease affects about 48 million people worldwide, a number expected to increase as the population ages. There is no effective cure.

The drug opens a new avenue for treatment and provides patients with new hope, said lead researcher Geng Meiyu.

Source: Xinhua