Medicinal products selected as the UK Prix Galien Award finalists were for orphan conditions. Credit: DraconianRain.

Biotechnology companies Biogen and Amicus have won the two top prizes for their rare disease medicines at the UK Prix Galien 2018 award ceremony held at London’s House of Commons.

Biogen’s Spinraza (nusinersen) has won the Orphan Product award while Galafold (migalastat) developed by Amicus received the Innovative Product medal for their ability to treat patients with rare diseases.

Except Amicus’ Galafold, all other medicinal products shortlisted for final were for orphan conditions.

Galafold became the first orphan product in the history of the UK Prix Galien to receive the innovative product award.

UK Prix Galien Judges chair Sir Michael Rawlins said: "The quality and depth of innovation that emerges from the UK life sciences industry continues to change lives and make a real difference to people all over the world.

" UK Prix Galien exists to honour excellence in medical R&D and celebrate the achievements of all those on whom we rely for the discovery and development of new innovation."

"That innovation is the reason why UK Prix Galien exists – to honour excellence in medical research and development (R&D) and celebrate the achievements of all those on whom we rely for the discovery and development of new innovation."

Biogen’s Spinraza is a globally licensed medicine developed for the treatment of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), a serious neurodegenerative disease that results in debilitating muscle weakness.

Nusinersen has already won five Prix Galien awards in the US, Italy, the Netherlands, Belgium-Luxembourg and Germany.

Amicus’ Galafold is an oral medication that can be potentially used for the treatment of patients with Fabry disease, which is a rare lysosomal metabolic storage condition that causes progressive, irreversible nervous-system disease, cardiac problems, renal disease and stroke.

In addition, US-based medical device company Medtronic’s Solitaire was awarded a commendation in the newly introduced Medical Technology category of the UK Prix Galien Award.

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