Marine organisms are an important source of bioactive substances that are used to treat cancer, diabetes, viral, bacterial diseases and other diseases. Substances from marine organisms are also used as pain relievers. Marine organisms are exposed to extreme living conditions and subsequently secrete secondary metabolites to survive in such conditions. Most natural products are of microbial origin. Microorganisms often live in symbiosis with higher organisms. The development of various »omic« approaches has enabled researchers to gain a more detailed insight into the genome of organisms and has facilitated the isolation of ever smaller products with a bioactive effect. Before a potential medicinal product from a marine source receives marketing authorization, it must go through a number of preclinical and clinical trials to ensure that the medicine is safe and effective for use. There are currently 14 approved medicines of marine origin on the market, most of which are intended for the treatment of cancer. Another 23 compounds are in various stages of clinical trials. Of these, 4 drugs are in phase III., 12 of them are in phase II. and 7 in phase I of trials.
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