A drug that can aid people with cystic fibrosis by clearing mucus from their lungs is likely to hit the markets by the end of next year following strong clinical trial results.
The drug, developed by Sydney-based Pharmaxis, likely to give new hope to over 3000 Australians suffering with the disease, who have a life expectancy of just 37, a report in 'The Age' said.
A late-stage trials of the drug 'Bronchitol' have been a success, the company said.
During the trial, 325 affected people were given 'Bronchitol'-- a dry-powder inhaler made up of mannitol, a naturally occurring sugar alcohol-- twice a day for 26 weeks.
The trial found that lung function improved after six weeks of use, and was sustained for the rest of the 26-week trial by an average of 6.6 per cent as measured by a test of air exhaled.
For patients already using the existing standard treatment, Dornase Alfa marketed as Pulmozyme, the drug improved breathing by 5.2 per cent when the two were used together.
Pharmaxis chief executive Alan Robertson said the drug had shown significant benefits.
"As the first dry-powder formulation to publish positive results in cystic fibrosis, it promises convenience for patients who have complex daily schedules dominated by difficult treatment regimens," he said.
In cystic fibrosis, a defective gene causes the body to produce unusually thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening infections.
In a healthy person, a constant flow of mucus over the surfaces of the air passages in the lungs removes debris and bacteria.
Bronchitol is designed to help clear the mucus and block respiratory infections.
The company aims to get regulatory approval by the third quarter of next year.
