A PORTON Down drug research company has discovered and patented a new treatment for a potentially fatal tropical disease which affects millions of people worldwide.

Morvus Technology, which is based at the Tetricus bio-incubation unit at Porton, specialises in developing commercially attractive drug therapies and finding new applications for existing treatments.

Company researchers have discovered that the anti-cancer drug Tretazicar can kill dangerous micro-organisms including Leishmaniasis, a parasitic disease spread through bites from sandflies.

The disease affects about 12 million people globally, most of them in the developing world, and has become a growing problem for British and other troops serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

The worst form of the disease, visceral leishmaniasis - also known as black fever - attacks the body's immune system and is nearly always fatal if left untreated.

"The drugs now available to treat the disease are quite toxic and have unpleasant side effects," said Dr Roger Melton, development director at Morvus Technology.

"The organism can also develop resistance to them quite quickly. But we have discovered the Tretazicar anti-cancer drug can be very effective in treating the disease. It is expected only small doses will be needed and there should be no adverse side effects."

It is expected clinical trials of the drug will begin next year, and Morvus, which is opening additional premises in south-west Wales, is looking for a commercial partner to market the drug in the developing world, and is also in talks with an international charity, which wants to license the drug in the Third World.

Dr Melton added being based at Tetricus offered a number of important benefits.

Dr Clive Duggleby, general manager of Tetricus, said: "Tetricus provides tenant companies with the professional support and infrastructure they need to realise their commercial ambitions."