Plandai Biotechnology, Inc. Announces Positive Anti-Malaria Test Results Using Phytofare™ Extract

SEATTLE, May 15, 2013

In the study, the single and most dominant catechin - Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG) - was isolated from Plandai's Phytofare™ extract and its effectiveness compared in killing the P. falciparum parasite against a purified EGCG extract. The results, which are expected to be published soon, showed that the Phytofare™ extract killed the parasite and with a lower dosage than the purified EGCG extract.

Roger Duffield, Chief Executive Officer of Plandai, commented, "These initial findings provide evidence corroborating previous scientific findings that Epigallocatechin Gallate catechin can kill the malaria parasite.  This study involving Phytofare™ is the first to show the effectiveness of using a commercial botanical extract, rather than purified extract of EGCG catechin, as an anti-malarial. 

"We believe these results validate our decade-long research into the opportunity for using botanical extracts as a means to combat one of the world's great plagues.  Dr. Krisha's clinical data indicate that Phytofare™ extract has a stable platform with predictable outcomes, making it a suitable candidate for further investigations.  We now have the opportunity evaluate the extract in further studies, including inhibiting the parasite in the glucose transporter and as a potential prophylactic by destroying the sporozoites during their journey from injection into the human blood by the female mosquito to the liver."

Plandai is finalizing agreements to undertake further in vitro and then mouse studies at the University of Cape Town, Department of Clinical Pharmacology, to further validate the antimalarial drug target through greater synergistic activity of the complete Phytofare™ catechin complex containing the total eight catechins, rather than the single isolated Epigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG). 

Once all these results have been evaluated, the Company will submit its application with the US Food and Drug Administration to commence Phase II human clinical trials. 

Each year, approximately 500 million people worldwide become infected with malaria.  Of those infected, roughly 600,000 will die from the disease. The development of vaccine options has so far proved challenging due to the complexity of the parasite.  In addition, drug-resistant strains of the parasite are moving across Southeast Asia, prompting the need to develop a new line of drug options.