STOCKHOLM, Sweden, Sept. 13, 2005 (PRIMEZONE) -- The glaucoma candidate drug (BVT.28949) has been internally developed within Biovitrum and the first clinical study for safety testing was entered in September 2005. The clinical trials in Phase I include about 60 healthy volunteers and the study is estimated to be completed during autumn 2005 with results available early next year.
Glaucoma is a disease characterized by damage to the optic nerve and it is in most cases accompanied by an increased pressure within the eye. The disease leads to gradually impaired vision and blindness. Glaucoma is the most common cause of blindness in the industrialized world. Biovitrum's glaucoma drug provided as eye-drops aims at lowering the intraocular pressure by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor. The drugs currently used against glaucoma have limitations and combination therapies are common. For a large proportion of patients, surgical intervention is necessary when drug treatment fails to provide sufficient effect. Consequently, there is a need in the market for new drugs with new active mechanisms of action.
Biovitrum
Biovitrum is one of the largest biotech companies in Europe, with operations in Stockholm, Uppsala and Gothenburg in Sweden and in Cambridge in the U.K.. Biovitrum combines research and development with commercial operations. R&D focuses on the research and development of new pharmaceuticals for treatment of obesity, diabetes and inflammation as well as within the therapeutic areas of oncology and glaucoma. Biovitrum Biopharmaceuticals develops and produces protein-based drugs on a contractual basis. Biovitrum also markets a number of specialist pharmaceuticals primarily in the Nordic countries. Within Biovitrum approximately 300 employees work within R&D and about 200 in Biopharmaceuticals and Marketing and Sales of specialist pharmaceuticals. For more information see www.biovitrum.com/.
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