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A Dunedin-based biotechnology company says it is on the brink of developing a therapy for the debilitating muscle wasting disease, muscular dystrophy.
The disease affects around 3,500 male children at a young age, leading to wheelchair confinement and premature death.
Scientists were looking into muscle growth in livestock but found the research had better spin-offs for humans. Tested on mice, they say it increases muscle strength by 15%.
Orico Limited spokesman Rob Bower says the groundbreaking new therapy will significantly reduce the symptoms and improve the quality of life for muscular dystrophy sufferers.
"We've come up with a therapy that enhances muscle growth and development."
Bower says muscular dystrophy is a genetic disease and can't be cured but trials on mice indicate that symptoms can be alleviated substantially.
Bower says they are now going through pre-clinical development and are aiming to begin trials on humans in two years.
Rodger Alexander from the Muscular Dystrophy Association says it is hard to watch young people lose the ability to walk, talk and take part in normal life.
"If you can turn that around, then it's a bit of a miracle really," Alexander says.
