Athlone based pharmaceutical company, Elan, in conjunction with Biogen, have submitted an application for the approval of Antegren as a treatment for Crohn's disease.
Additionally, the companies presented new data which showed "a sustained and clinically significant response" among patients after extended therapy using the drug.
Approximately one million people worldwide have Crohn's disease, a chronic and progressive inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract, which commonly affects both men and women.
To date, approximately 2,800 patients have received the drug in clinical trials.
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The two companies have already submitted applications both in Europe and the US for approval of Antegren as a treatment for multiple sclerosis.