Iranian researchers have produced the active ingredient needed to produce Riluzole, a drug used to treat neurological diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
"Riluzole is a benzothiazole derivative of and is also used to treat conditions such as insomnia, anxiety and hysteria," said project director, Ali-Reza Forumandi.
"Since there is great demand for this type of drug in the country, the products manufactured in Iran would allow many people get this medicine at a lower price," said Forumandi.
Riluzole's monopoly is in the hands of a multinational in France and the United States.
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (abbreviated ALS, also called Lou Gehrig's disease, and in France, Charcot) is a neuromuscular degenerative type disease. It occurs when some nerve cells called motor neurons gradually reduce their unctioning and die, causing progressive muscle paralysis with a mortal prognosis.
In its advanced stages, patients experience total paralysis accompanied by an exaltation of tendon reflexes (resulting in the loss of the inhibitory muscular control panel).
Translated from the Spanish version by:
Lisa Karpova
Pravda.Ru