Scientists at an Oxford biotech firm are hoping they have made a breakthrough in the search for an effective Parkinson's Disease treatment.
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 Prof 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."
He said the clinical trial followed more than 10 years of research.
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.
Current surgical approaches to treatment require the destruction of brain tissue or the use of electrodes to stimulate the brain, both of which have side effects.
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