U.S. federal health regulators have given the go-signal to a new drug that will treat Gaucher's disease.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration approved the capsule-based drug, Cerdelga, for patients suffering from the Type 1 form of the Gaucher's disease.

The new oral drug is manufactured by Genzyme Corporation, which is also credited for introducing the first form of medication to treat Gaucher's disease some 20 years ago.

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Health experts said Cerdelga can be an alternative to Genzyme's other drug, Cerezyme.

Cerezyme, which is given intravenously, is considered the best-selling drug for Genzyme. The drug maker sold US$935 million worth of Cerezyme in the past year alone.

A year's supply of Cerezyme costs an average of $300,000, according to the drug maker.

Gaucher's disease is a rare genetic disorder that causes a build-up of excess fat in a patient's spleen, liver and bone marrow. Patients with Gaucher's disease typically exhibit symptoms of bone pain, osteoporosis, fatigue and anemia.

An estimated 6,000 people in the United States suffer from the Type 1 form of Gaucher's disease.

The Massachusetts based drug maker said Cerdelga will help reduce the level of fat in a patient's tissue and organs. Patients suffering from Gaucher's disease do not have the enzyme responsible for breaking down fat in their body.

Cerezyme is an artificial replacement for the missing enzyme. The drug, which was introduced in 1994, is administered every two weeks to patients via drug infusion.

Genzyme CEO Dr. David Meeker told Reuters they plan to price Cerdelga on the same range as Cerezyme. Genzyme is a subsidiary of French drug company, Sanofi.

TagsNews, Science, Science news, U.S. Food and Drug Administration, Cerdelga, Cerezyme, Genzyme, Gaucher's Disease