Shares in Oxford GlycoSciences rose after it announced a successful trial of Vevesca, its treatment for the rare enzyme disorder Gaucher disease.
Preliminary analysis of its six-month study showed that patients who had previously been forced to undergo an unpleasant hospital treatment with the enzyme therapy Cerezyme, made by US biotech firm Genzyme, could stay healthy on the pills developed by OGS, of Milton Park.
OGS is now planning to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration and drug regulators in Europe for approval to market Vevesca from mid-2001. The drug received 'fast-track' designation from the FDA last June 2000.
Professor Ari Zimran, principal investigator, of the Shaare Zedek Medical Center, Jerusalem, said: "We have shown that our patients can be switched to Vevesca for at least six months liberating them from the burden of regular intravenous enzyme infusions."
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article