COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COARMLC) has denied claims that its product, COA-72, is currently undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of HIV.
The clarification follows a report published by the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, which the company says was inaccurate and misrepresented information shared during a recent visit by Parliament’s Select Committee on Health to its facilities.
In a statement issued on Monday, July 28, 2025, and signed by management, COARMLC described the publication as “misleading” and reaffirmed its commitment to scientific integrity and transparent communication.
“The publication misrepresented our position. Nowhere did we state that COA-72 is in active clinical trials for HIV treatment,” the statement said. “We are compelled to issue this clarification to prevent the public from being misled and to reaffirm our integrity as a science-driven institution.”
The company explained that the false report stemmed from a working visit by the Health Committee on July 14, 2025, which was intended to highlight ongoing research efforts. However, the subsequent Daily Graphic article, they said, “wrongly interpreted the interaction to suggest that COA-72 had entered official clinical trial stages.”
Following the publication, COARMLC requested a correction, prompting Daily Graphic to publish a rejoinder on Thursday, July 17, 2025. The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) also issued a disclaimer, confirming that no such trials had been approved.
“We commend the FDA for their swift response in correcting the public narrative,” the statement added.
COARMLC clarified that its founder and CEO, Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, had shared his long-term vision of discovering a natural cure for HIV during the committee’s visit.
“On November 30, 2005, Mr. Duncan publicly committed to researching a natural cure for HIV. That dream has informed nearly two decades of plant-based pharmaceutical work,” the statement noted.
Over the years, this vision has led to the development of products such as COA Mixture, COA Plus, COA-MT, and COA Capsules—none of which are approved for the treatment of HIV.
According to the company, COA-72 is a new formulation currently showing promise in pre-clinical studies.
“At no time did we state that COA-72 is undergoing FDA-approved clinical trials. What we did do was introduce the product as a promising development and appeal for support to begin formal investigations,” the statement emphasised.
COARMLC estimates that, if successful, COA-72 could generate up to $76.8 billion annually for Ghana’s economy and create thousands of jobs.
The company disclosed that it had applied to the FDA in 2019 to conduct clinical trials, with the application acknowledged under reference number FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059. However, it has yet to meet all the requirements necessary to begin formal trials.
“Though preliminary studies—both local and international—have yielded promising results such as HIV viral load reduction and, in some cases, viral clearance, these outcomes must not be misconstrued as clinical evidence,” the statement clarified. “They do not replace the need for formal FDA-approved clinical research.”
Reiterating its position, the company stated:
“We remain dedicated to working with the FDA, WHO, and qualified research institutions to advance COA-72 responsibly. Public trust and regulatory compliance are not optional; they are non-negotiable.”
COARMLC concluded by expressing regret over any confusion the misreporting may have caused and called for more responsible journalism in the future.
Read the full statement below:
ALSO READ: