The Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) announced today that a cooperation agreement has been signed with Phytopharm, a United Kingdom-based pharmaceutical development and functional food company, for further development and commercialisation of Hoodia gordonii for the management of obesity. In terms of this agreement the commercialisation process will be led by the CSIR in collaboration with national and regional stakeholders, and has the full support of the South African San Council. Phytopharm is committed to support this development effort by sharing supporting intellectual property and the know-how and will share benefit from future commercialisation income.