Mediquest asks for FDA approval of drug

Mediquest Therapeutics said today that it requested approval by federal regulators of its experimental therapy to treat Raynaud's disease.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration must accept the submission before it reviews the drug's effectiveness. Even if the FDA agrees to study the therapy, a topical cream that treats a painful vascular ailment, the approval process could take several months.

The submission, however, puts the closely held Bothell pharmaceutical company in the small club of Seattle-area firms that have filed a new drug application with the FDA. Others include ZymoGenetics, Immunex and Icos.

"After less than six years of research and clinical trials, submitting our application is a major accomplishment and milestone for our company as we move closer to bringing this treatment to market for the millions of patients who suffer from the symptoms of Raynaud's disease," said Mediquest Chief Executive Frederick Dechow.

The company announced encouraging results from a late-stage clinical trial last November.

Ángel González: 206-515-5644 or agonzalez@seattletimes.com