PLA(Chinese military) medical institution claims to have developed Ebola cure

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PLA medical institution claims to have developed Ebola cure

A Chinese researcher examines a reagent sample which can be used to test for the Ebola virus. (File photo/Xinhua)

An experimental drug developed by Chinese companies for the lethal Ebola virus may be approved in the near future, according to Tokyo-based Asia Pacific current affairs magazine The Diplomat.

The World Health Organization has recorded 4,493 deaths thought to be caused by the virus in Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Spain and the United States, with 8,997 confirmed, probable and suspected cases as of Wednesday.

The drug known as JK-50 was co-developed by the People’s Liberation Army’s Academy of Military Medical Sciences and Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group, a former military scientific unit which went private in 2001. It was previously only available for military emergencies but Che Fengsheng, Sihuan’s chairperson said the company may apply for approval from Chinese authorities before the end of this year and its relations with the Chinese military will allow for an accelerated approval process.

Sihuan has been developing the drug over the past five years and has tested its effects on mice. The firm plans to carry out a human test on Chinese nationals infected with the virus in Africa.

If the drug successfully cures the virus, it could save thousands of lives, as well as elevating the status of Chinese pharmaceutical companies on the world stage and allowing them access to the markets of developed countries.

China has strong trade and diplomatic ties with African countries and has sent aid and medical workers to the West African nations affected by the virus to provide medicine, treat patients and train African doctors. Most of China’s 1,200 medical personnel stationed in developing countries are in Africa.

Medicine manufactured or provided by China is in widespread use in Africa, even after countries in the continent accused Chinese companies of dumping fake drugs on to local markets.

References:

Academy of Military Medical Sciences　　軍事醫學科學院

Sihuan Pharmaceutical Holdings Group　　四環醫藥

Che Fengsheng　　車馮升

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