Early signs look good for BTG's varicose vein treatment

Healthcare firm BTG has successfully completed the first phase of the US-based trial of Varisolve, a varicose vein treatment.

The study showed that patients treated with the product demonstrated a "statistically significant improvement" in symptoms, compared with patients who received a placebo. They also reported a significant improvement in appearance.

Dr Kenneth Todd, who was involved in the study, said: "It is an important study because it is the first time patient benefit has been shown using a patient-reported outcome measure in a randomised controlled clinical trial in patients with varicose veins.

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"If Varisolve demonstrates the same sort of significant improvement in symptoms and acceptable safety profile in the additional Phase III trials, it should provide an important new treatment option for varicose veins. It has been a great trial to be part of as my patients have been so happy with their results."

The firm also said that that the next stage is to test Varisolve following heat ablation, which is due in the first half of this year, with the application for US regulatory approval due to be submitted by the year end.

If approved, this would be the first non-surgical, comprehensive treatment for varicose veins above and below the knee.

NR