Sufferers from a painful leg condition can now benefit from Apligraf, a revolutionary treatment developed by the Basel-based pharmaceuticals giant, Novartis.

Sufferers from a painful leg condition in Switzerland can now benefit from Apligraf, a revolutionary treatment developed by the Basel-based pharmaceuticals giant, Novartis.

Doctors consider Apligraf to be a breakthrough in the treatment of venous leg ulcers. The condition is caused by poorly functioning valves in the veins of the legs. A significant number of patients have chronic wounds which do not respond to the standard treatment, involving the use of compression bandages.

Apligraf, which has been available in North America for more than a year, is the first bi-layered living human skin equivalent. In other words, it offers the healing benefits of human skin. Clinical trials have shown that Apligraf heals more wounds and is faster than current approaches.

Professor Theo Rufli, who heads the Dermatology Department at Basel's University Hospital, says Apligraf has the potential to help thousands of patients who have failed on other therapies.

It is also expected to drastically reduce the cost of caring for chronic patients by eliminating the need for painful surgery.

Novartis says it will supply Apligraf only to doctors who have completed the company's usage training programme.

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