Scientists hail new drug’s potential

The Age: MELBOURNE scientists have developed a drug that may prevent a condition responsible for up to 45% of all deaths in the Western world….The drug works by preventing the spread of fibrosis – the irreversible scarring of vital organs that underpins many major killers such as kidney disease, heart failure, diabetes and lung and liver problems. As fibrosis advances, it causes such extensive damage that the organ shuts down, eventually resulting in death.

There is no available treatment that prevents or halts the spread of the condition and scientists internationally are racing to be the first to produce an antifibrotic drug.