COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COARMLC) has firmly denied claims that its new product, COA-72, is currently undergoing clinical trials as an anti-HIV drug.
In a statement released on Monday, July 28, 2025, and signed by management, COARMLC described the front-page report published by the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, as “misleading and inaccurate.” The company stressed that at no point did it claim that COA-72 had entered official clinical trials for HIV treatment.
“Nowhere did we state that COA-72 is in active clinical trials for HIV,” the statement clarified. “We are compelled to issue this to prevent the public from being misled and to reaffirm our integrity as a science-driven institution.”
The controversy followed a working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to COARMLC’s facility on Monday, July 14, 2025. While the visit showcased ongoing research, COARMLC says the Daily Graphic misinterpreted its update to suggest an FDA-approved HIV clinical trial.
In response, the company contacted the newspaper, leading to a rejoinder published on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana also issued a disclaimer confirming that no such clinical trial had been approved — further backing COARMLC’s position.
“We commend the FDA for stepping in to set the record straight,” the statement added.
A vision, not a Trial
During the committee’s visit, COARMLC’s Founder and CEO, Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, shared his long-standing vision of developing plant-based solutions for HIV, dating back to a public pledge in 2005. This vision has driven the development of products such as COA Mixture, COA Plus Mixture, COA-MT, and COA Capsules, none of which are approved for HIV treatment.
COARMLC clarified that COA-72 is a new formulation that has shown encouraging potential in pre-clinical and internal studies, with early signs suggesting possible antiviral and anticancer properties. However, these findings remain preliminary and should not be confused with formal clinical trials.
“At no time did we claim that COA-72 is undergoing FDA-approved clinical trials,” the company stressed. “What we did was introduce the product as promising and appeal for support to begin formal investigations.”
Regulatory Status and Economic Promise
In 2019, COARMLC formally applied to the FDA to conduct clinical trials on COA-72. The FDA acknowledged the application (letter dated October 29, 2019, ref FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059) and outlined requirements — including partnerships with accredited research institutions and adherence to international standards.
To date, COARMLC has not completed these requirements, and no trial has begun.
Despite this, the company estimates that if COA-72 eventually proves effective and secures approval, it could generate up to $76.8 billion annually for Ghana’s economy and create thousands of jobs.
“Though preliminary studies, both local and international, show promising reductions in HIV viral load, and in some cases, viral clearance, these do not replace the need for formal FDA-approved trials,” the statement emphasised.
Commitment to Integrity and Responsible Innovation
COARMLC reaffirmed its dedication to scientific rigor, regulatory compliance, and transparent communication:
- Working with the FDA, WHO, and credible research institutions
- Securing support and funding to advance COA-72 responsibly
- Upholding public trust through factual communication
“Public trust and regulatory compliance are not optional — they are non-negotiable,” COARMLC concluded.
The company expressed regret over any confusion caused by the misreporting and urged journalists to adhere to responsible reporting, especially on sensitive public health matters.
Full text of the press release is available on COARMLC’s official website.
By Peter Quao Adattor
