Scientists are carrying out the final stages of clinical trials of a drug that contains theobromine, an ingredient found in chocolate and cocoa.
The drug, called BC1036, is being developed by the private UK company SEEK.
Manfred Scheske, CEO of Consumer Health at SEEK said: "I am very excited to announce the progression for the late-stage development of BC1036, which has the potential to dramatically impact the treatment of persistent cough and could greatly benefit the quality of life of persistent cough sufferers."
Professor Alyn Morice of the Hull Cough Clinic said there was a need for new treatments. "Thousands of people across the UK suffer from persistent cough, and due to the drawbacks of current opioid drugs such as codeine, we are in desperate need of a non-opioid treatment with a drastically improved side effect profile for patients."
In October the Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said under-18s should not take codeine-based remedies, which is the active ingredient found in most current medicines.
Researchers say the new theobromine treatment, which could be on the market within two years, should not have this problem.
The bad news is that the drug does not actually taste of chocolate, it is completely flavourless.
The drug, called BC1036, is being developed by the private UK company SEEK.
Manfred Scheske, CEO of Consumer Health at SEEK said: "I am very excited to announce the progression for the late-stage development of BC1036, which has the potential to dramatically impact the treatment of persistent cough and could greatly benefit the quality of life of persistent cough sufferers."
Professor Alyn Morice of the Hull Cough Clinic said there was a need for new treatments. "Thousands of people across the UK suffer from persistent cough, and due to the drawbacks of current opioid drugs such as codeine, we are in desperate need of a non-opioid treatment with a drastically improved side effect profile for patients."
In October the Medicines and Health products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said under-18s should not take codeine-based remedies, which is the active ingredient found in most current medicines.
Researchers say the new theobromine treatment, which could be on the market within two years, should not have this problem.
The bad news is that the drug does not actually taste of chocolate, it is completely flavourless.
