Chemicals found in a variety of seaweed gathered in Fiji waters are reported to have the potential to treat cancer and HIV.
Fiji TV reports that this is the finding of research by the Georgia Institute of Technology in the United States.
It says 10 previously unknown chemicals were found in seaweed gathered in the Kadavu Group about 50 nautical miles south of Suva.
Some of these chemicals have shown strong resistance to cancer cells and even HIV.
Three international universities and two of America's largest pharmaceutical companies are now researching the possibility of turning the chemicals found in the Fiji seaweed into drugs for regular use.
Dr Jioji Tabuadravu of the School of Applied Science at the USP says the current findings show the potential for new pharmaceuticals in previously unresearched chemicals present in Fiji.
