COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COARMLC) has firmly denied reports suggesting that its new product, COA-72, is currently undergoing clinical trials as a treatment for HIV.

In a statement issued on Monday, July 28, 2025, and signed by management, the company described the claim—published in the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, July 16—as “inaccurate and misleading.

” COARMLC said the report misrepresented facts shared during a recent working visit by the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health to its facilities.

“The publication misrepresented our position. Nowhere did we state that COA-72 is in active clinical trials for HIV treatment,” the company emphasised.

“We are compelled to issue this clarification to prevent the public from being misled and to reaffirm our integrity as a science-driven institution.”

According to COARMLC, the visit on July 14, 2025, was intended to showcase its research progress and potential innovations.

However, the subsequent media report, the company said, misinterpreted remarks made by its leadership to suggest that COA-72 had already entered official clinical testing.

Following the publication, COARMLC reached out to Daily Graphic, resulting in a rejoinder issued the next day, Thursday, July 17.

The Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana also released a disclaimer, confirming that no clinical trials involving COA-72 for HIV treatment had been approved—corroborating the company’s position.

“We commend the FDA for their swift response in correcting the public narrative,” the company stated.

COARMLC clarified that during the Parliamentary Committee’s visit, its Founder and CEO, Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, shared his long-standing aspiration to discover a natural cure for HIV—a vision he first announced publicly on November 30, 2005.

This commitment, the company noted, has shaped its nearly two decades of research into plant-based pharmaceuticals.

That research has produced various products such as COA Mixture, COA Plus, COA-MT, and COA Capsules. However, none of these products—including COA-72—have been approved for the treatment of HIV.

According to the statement, COA-72 is a new formulation that has shown promising potential in pre-clinical and internal studies.

It may possess antiviral and anticancer properties, but it has not yet undergone any FDA-approved clinical trials.

“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 read.

COARMLC disclosed that in 2019, it applied to the FDA to initiate clinical trials for COA-72, and the application was acknowledged through a letter dated October 29, 2019, with reference number FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059.

The company is still in the process of meeting the necessary conditions to proceed with clinical testing.

It noted that while some early research—both locally and internationally—has shown encouraging signs such as reduced HIV viral loads and even viral clearance in some cases, these findings should not be mistaken for clinical proof.

“They do not replace the need for formal FDA-approved clinical research,” the company cautioned.

Looking ahead, COARMLC said it remains committed to working with the FDA, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and other recognised institutions to ensure that any future testing meets global regulatory standards.

“We remain dedicated to advancing COA-72 responsibly.

Public trust and regulatory compliance are not optional—they are non-negotiable,” the company emphasised.

COARMLC concluded by expressing regret over the confusion caused by the misreporting and called on the media to uphold the highest standards of accuracy and responsibility in health communication.

Below is the full press release issued by the company:

COA RESEARCH AND MANUFACTURING LIMITED COMPANY SETS THE RECORD STRAIGHT ON COA-72 CLINICAL TRIALS

The management of COA Research and Manufacturing Limited Company (COA-RMLC) wishes to clarify recent media reports regarding the status of COA-72, following a publication in the Daily Graphic on Wednesday, 16th July 2025, headlined: “COA-72 undergoes clinical trials as anti-HIV drug.”

This statement is issued to address misinformation contained in the said article and to reaffirm our unwavering commitment to scientific integrity, regulatory compliance, and transparent communication with the public.

On Monday, 14th July 2025, the Parliamentary Select Committee on Health paid a working visit to COARMLC’s facilities. During the visit, management engaged with committee members on the company’s ongoing research and development efforts. Unfortunately, the subsequent media reportage by the Daily Graphic inaccurately suggested that COA-72 is currently undergoing clinical trials for HIV treatment.

To address this, COARMLC notified Daily Graphic regarding the wrong reportage and a rejoinder was issued, which was published in the Daily Graphic on Thursday, 17th July 2025.

We appreciate the Food and Drugs Authority (FDA) Ghana for further issuing a disclaimer affirming that no such clinical trial involving COA-72 has been approved for HIV treatment, which aligns with COARMLC’s position.

During the interaction with the committee members, COARMLC’s Founder and CEO, Mr. Samuel Ato Duncan, shared the personal and professional journey that has driven the company’s research initiatives:

* On 30th November 2005, Mr. Duncan publicly committed to pursuing a natural cure for HIV.

* This vision led to extensive research in plant-based medicine and the development of key products, including COA Mixture, COA Plus Mixture, COA-MT Mixture, and COA Capsules.

* While these products are not intended or approved for HIV treatment, the research laid the foundation for the development of COA-72, a new formulation believed, based on preliminary studies, to have properties that may fight viral infections and cancers.

At no point during the meeting with the Parliamentary Select Committee did COARMLC claim that COA-72 was undergoing FDA-approved clinical trials. Rather, management took the opportunity to:

* Introduce COA-72 as a promising formulation based on internal and collaborative research findings.

* Highlight the need for further, scientifically rigorous studies.

* Appeal for government and institutional support to initiate formal clinical trials, which require significant investment and technical resources.

COARMLC believes that if proven effective through proper clinical trials, COA-72 has the potential to contribute an estimated $76.8 billion annually to Ghana’s economy and create thousands of jobs.

To clarify the regulatory engagement:

* In 2019, COARMLC submitted a formal application to the FDA requesting to initiate clinical trials on COA-72.

* The FDA acknowledged receipt of this application via a letter dated 29th October 2019 (ref FDA/SMC/CTD/CTA/19/0059) titled: “ACKNOWLEDGEMENT: APPLICATION FOR ANTI HIV/AIDS CLINICAL ON COA-72.”

This letter outlined the necessary steps to begin the clinical trial process, including partnerships with accredited research institutions, medical professionals, and adherence to internationally recognised protocols.

To date, COARMLC has not fully satisfied the FDA’s requirements for approval to commence these clinical trials.

COARMLC wishes to categorically state:

* The company has never claimed that FDA approval has been granted for clinical trials on COA-72.

* Pre-clinical and pilot studies, including those conducted in Ghana and at reputable institutions outside the country, have shown promising results, including significant reductions in HIV viral load, and in some cases, complete viral clearance following various modes of administration.

* These preliminary findings are not substitutes for formal FDA-approved clinical trials.

COARMLC remains steadfast in its commitment to:

* Uphold all regulatory requirements and best practices as outlined by the FDA, WHO, and other international health bodies.

* Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to secure the support and funding necessary to advance COA-72 through formal clinical trials.

* Maintain honest, respectful, and transparent dialogue with the Ghanaian public and the global health community.

We deeply regret any confusion caused by the miscommunication in the media and trust that this statement provides the necessary clarity.

COARMLC remains focused on its mission to innovate responsibly in the field of plant-based medicine for the benefit of public health and national development.