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Vaccine against cocaine addiction starts test trials on animals

Ben Bassey

September 8, 2016 1:54 PM

De’Fatima said similar research is being done in the United States, but with what could be a decisive difference.

Vaccine

Brazilian researchers have begun test trial of a vaccine against cocaine addiction on animals.

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Prof. Angelo de’Fatima, of the Organic Chemistry department at the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG), said on Thursday in Rio de Janeiro that the vaccine has been under development for more than two years.

"We are developing a molecule to stimulate the production of antibodies by the immune system against cocaine.

"These antibodies bind to the cocaine, preventing it from reaching the brain and reducing the drug's euphoric effects, which is what will lead users to lose interest in its use,’’ she said.

She, however, said that the Brazilian molecule is different from the American one, as theirs doesn't have the protein part.

De’ Fatima disclosed that Brazil team's molecule has yet to be patented.

The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), has observed that the cocaine use in Brazil is four times higher than the world average.