By A Correspondent| In a major scientific breakthrough, Zimbabwean researchers announced on Thursday the discovery of a potential cure for Alzheimer’s disease, along with a groundbreaking treatment for melanoma, a form of skin cancer.
Leading the project, Professor Simon Mukwembi introduced a new computer system called Rutava, which has enabled his team to discover a chemical compound that selectively targets malignant cancer cells without affecting healthy ones. This discovery could pave the way for effective treatments for various cancers.
The research, which was conducted in collaboration with the University of Witwatersrand and the University of Johannesburg in South Africa, has primarily focused on melanoma and Alzheimer’s disease.
At a press conference in Harare, Prof. Mukwembi explained, “Rutava’s strength lies in its adaptability. Although our current focus is melanoma skin cancer, the technology can be recalibrated to address a wide range of other cancers.” He also highlighted that Rutava had been instrumental in developing a treatment for Alzheimer’s disease, a condition affecting over 55 million people worldwide, with numbers expected to nearly double every 20 years.
Melanoma, while not the deadliest cancer, saw approximately 330,000 new cases diagnosed globally in 2022, resulting in nearly 60,000 deaths. Prof. Mukwembi described Rutava as a digital platform utilizing artificial intelligence, machine learning, and complex mathematical algorithms to speed up drug discovery.
“Typically, the drug development process can take 15 years and billions of dollars. Rutava significantly reduces this time, potentially bringing new drugs to market within months,” said Prof. Mukwembi. “We’ve developed a compound that specifically targets cancerous cells, unlike current treatments that also harm healthy cells.”
Despite the promising developments, Prof. Mukwembi emphasized the need for clinical trials to validate the findings. He noted, “Rutava continually improves with each use, refining its algorithms and increasing its accuracy in analyzing molecular datasets.”
The innovative technology could revolutionize the pharmaceutical landscape, particularly in the Global South, by shortening drug development timelines and reducing costs. Prof. Mukwembi and his team envision Rutava playing a pivotal role in transforming the region into a pharmaceutical powerhouse.
Joining Prof. Mukwembi at the announcement were Dr. Amos Marume, principal of the Harare Institute of Public Health (HIPH), and the institute’s registrar, Dr. Isaac Mutingwende. The project also involves scientists Dr. Eloise van der Merwe, Prof. Farai Nyabadza, Prof. Yasien Sayed, Prof. Betsie Jonck, Prof. Eunice Mphako-Banda, Dr. Ronnie Maartens, Moster Zhangazha, Neo Padi, and Thabelo Mulenga.
Dr. Marume highlighted the need for funding to advance the discoveries through clinical trials, stating, “Patenting these treatments is essential, but securing financial support for clinical trials will likely lead to shared ownership of the patents.”