Oxford BioMedica Reports ProSavin Promise In Two-Year Study

14th Jun 2010 09:22

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Biotechnology company Oxford BioMedica PLC (OXB.LN) Monday said two patients in a three-patient study of its experimental Parkinson's disease medicine ProSavin demonstrated a 30% improvement in motor function two years after getting treatment. The results of the two-year follow-up study justify ProSavin's continued development and further human trials, Oxford BioMedica said. Talks with potential partners for ProSavin are ongoing, the company added. ProSavin is an experimental treatment that involves injecting three genes into the brain to spur the production of dopamine, a chemical that controls body movement that is lacking in Parkinson's patients. Oxford BioMedica said the third patient didn't respond so markedly but remains in good health. There weren't any side effects or safety issues related to ProSavin reported during the study, it added. The company said it received regulatory approval to test a new delivery system that could cut surgery time for patients getting ProSavin, and approval to try a higher dose. ProSavin will have to be tested in larger numbers of patients before it can be submitted for marketing authorization. -By Jason Douglas, Dow Jones Newswires; 44-20-7842-9272; [email protected] (END) Dow Jones Newswires June 14, 2010 04:22 ET (08:22 GMT)