Singapore: SBI Pharmaceuticals, headquartered in Japan, has concluded a basic agreement to begin clinical research on diabetes in Bahrain with the Arabian Gulf University. The company researches and develops pharmaceuticals apart from health foods and cosmetics using 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA).

According to a research by the International Diabetes Federation, a high percentage of diabetic patients reside in Bahrain and other Middle Eastern countries. The Arabian Gulf University is working to establish a clinical development structure that complies with GCP to support Arabic people in the region. And to help treat diabetic patients, the university has chosen a supplement containing the very safe substance 5-ALA as its first model of clinical research.

With the basic agreement with the Arabian Gulf University in place, SBI Pharmaceuticals will pursue clinical research in collaboration with the Department of Diabetes at Bahrain Defense Force Royal Medical Service Hospital and the Arabian Gulf University hospital.