A specific kind of cancer known as Leukemia, which affects blood and bone marrow had long been a subject of research and experiments for the doctors, since they were unable to find a proper treatment for it. But the British drug maker GlaxoSmithKline PLC on Thursday announced through a statement that its new experimental leukemia drug has shown positive results for patients who didn’t respond well to any other medication.

To reach the conclusion, the reactions of almost 140 patients were recorded after they had been administered the ofatumumab treatment. The more worrying thing is that patients, who have chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), are also prone to both fludarabine and alemtuzumab.

According to the officials of the company, the filing for the drug’s US regulatory approval could be done by the end of 2008. GlaxoSmithKline is working with Danish biotech Genmab A/S, to develop the drug which could be injected.

The Chief Executive Officer of Genmab, Lisa N. Drakeman reported that joint efforts made by the two companies were appreciated by everyone. “Genmab is now on its way to filling the first ever marketing application for an antibody and the team was looking forward to continuing the work with GSK,” she added.

The two companies are even eager and trying hard to use the human antibody, ofatumumab, for treating various types of lymphoma, rheumatoid arthritis as well as forms of multiple sclerosis.

A positive impact of the invention of this experimental drug was also seen on the shares of both the companies, which rose by much as a third on Friday. Genmab traded up 26 percent at 324 crowns, after a high of 345, while Glaxo, for which the drug is just one of many in development, added 1.5 percent to 11.93 pounds.