Gene research firm Oxford BioMedica is trialling a new product designed to tackle anaemia.
Preclinical data presented by the firm's principal scientist, Dr Katie Binley, to the American Society for Gene Therapy showed Repoxygen successfully cured the condition in mice.
Anaemia lowers the number of red cells in the bloodstream, lowering the ability of the blood to deliver oxygen to the body.
It is a relatively common condition, particularly in patients with kidney disease and those being treated with AZT for Aids or undergoing chemotherapy for cancer.
The market for the treatment of the condition is estimated at £1.4bn. Scientists at BioMedica, based at the Oxford Science Park, believe Repoxygen will be more effective than the current treatment, Erythropoietin, which has disadvantages in determining the correct dose.
Repoxygen switches on a gene in the body when low oxygen levels are detected, increasing red blood cells and boosting oxygen levels, before turning off again.
Prof Alan Kingsman, BioMedica's chief executive, said: "This is an exciting product that builds on our core competencies and underlines our determination to extend BioMedica's product portfolio beyond cancer, where we have achieved considerable success."
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 The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.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