Scientists at an Oxford biotech firm are hoping to make a breakthrough in the search to find an effective treatment for Parkinson's Disease.

Trials on the ProSavin gene therapy product, which has been developed by Oxford Biomedica based at the Oxford Science Park, have started in France with experts confident of success.

Chief executive Professor Alan Kingsman said: "The product could represent a fundamentally new approach for the treatment of Parkinson's disease and could significantly expand the worldwide market for existing therapies."

Parkinson's disease is caused by the degeneration of dopamine producing nerve cells, leading to impaired movement.

ProSavin uses gene therapy to restore dopamine production in the brain. Initial tests have shown almost complete recovery of movement and other behaviour with a single treatment effective for at least two years.

It will be the first time a gene-based treatment for Parkinson's disease has been evaluated in a European clinical trial.

Current surgical treatment of Parkinson's disease destroys brain tissue or uses electrodes to stimulate the brain, both of which have side effects.

Dr Stéphane Palfi, who will be supervising the trial, said: "Current standard therapy for Parkinson's disease is only partially effective and can induce debilitating side-effects after long-term use.

"ProSavin has the potential to address this unmet medical need, offering long-lasting benefit from a single administration."

Prof Kingsman added: "This clinical trial of ProSavin is the culmination of more than 10 years of research in Oxford BioMedica and, before that, in Oxford University."