US boost for BTG treatment

THE painless, non-invasive and swift treatment for varicose veins developed by BTG subsidiary Provensis has received US Food and Drug Administration approval to carry out trials.

Some 150 million people suffer from varicose veins in the US and Europe with only 5% of them seeking treatment because it is a painful and time-consuming process.

BTG's treatment, Varisolve, involves injecting foam into the veins and can be carried out during a lunch hour.

European trials are already taking place and the product could be on the market by 2005. It could be marketed in North America by 2006.