Manchester-based biopharmaceutical company Renovo has received positive feedback and advice on its Juvista Phase 3 clinical programme.

The European Medicines Agency's committee for medicinal products for human use has given Renovo the green light to perform two pivotal double blind tests.

Renovo, which specialises in scar prevention and reduction, will also undertake a separate safety study using higher dosages of Juvista.

Chief executive of Renovo, Professor Mark Ferguson, said: "We are delighted that the advice received from the EMEA ... was in line with our expectations."

Renovo's first European phase-three trial in scar revision surgery is due to commence in the second half of the year, he added.

The biotech firm, which recently took on an extra 25,000 sq ft of space at the University of Manchester Incubator Company's core technology facility, hopes to market and sell Juvista in Europe.

Renovo recently signed a £400 million deal with Shire Pharmaceuticals for the rights to sell Juvista in the US.