Raptor says Huntington’s disease drug slows loss of muscle control

(Reuters) – Raptor Pharmaceutical Corp said its experimental brain disorder drug slowed the loss of muscle control in patients with Huntington’s disease after 18 months of treatment. Raptor’s shares were up about 16 percent at $17.27 in early trading on the Nasdaq. The drug, codenamed RP103, slowed the progression of muscle spasms, eye and hand movements and loss of balance compared to a placebo, Raptor said. The news comes two days after Australia-based Prana Biotechnology Ltd said its experimental drug improved cognitive function in patients with Huntington’s disease.