Agepha Pharma gets ancient gout remedy colchicine across FDA finish line for heart disease

Used by Egyptians 35 centuries ago as a remedy for inflammation, colchicine was found over the ages to be effective against a variety of maladies including gout, dropsy and familial Mediterranean fever. Now, the ancient therapy—found in plants including wild saffron and autumn crocus—has a more modern use: It has been approved by the FDA as the first drug to target cardiovascular inflammation.