Dublin-based biopharmaceutical company Alltracel has announced that completed trials suggest that its micro-dispersed oxidised cellulose (m-doc) product may help to prevent cardiovascular disease.

M-doc is currently used worldwide in the wound care market, usually as a gel contained in plasters. However, a move into the cholesterol management market would prove far more lucrative.

Alltracel is listed on the London AIM market and was up 4.7 per cent to 22.25p (€0.32) yesterday following the announcement.

The 15-month pre-clinical trial suggests that m-doc may prevent the build up of artery-clogging plaque, reducing the risk of atherosclerosis, a form of hardening of the arteries.

M-doc works differently to statins and sterols, other common treatments for cholesterol production, so there is potential for complimentary treatment and lower dosages.

While statins prevent cholesterol production in the liver, m-doc may prevent absorption of cholesterol in the intestine.

The product is classified as a non-drug in Ireland and the Czech Republic, where the company has laboratories, opening the possibility for it to be used as a food or drink additive.

Data on the studies will be provided in a first-quarter trading update, available before April 15th.