A New Zealand company has developed a new drug for people with the progressive form of MS. It has been developed by Auckland biopharmaceutical company Innate Therapeutics and clinical trials will begin on patients in Christchurch. Up to 18 patients are being recruited for the trial that starts in October.

Liz Kiewicz, who was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in April 2010, says she was excited to hear a new drug was being trialled.

She hopes to start on the therapy next month. "Why wouldn't I do it?" she says.

"I'm pretty strong, much better than I was, but I don't know if and when I'll get worse.”

"I certainly believe there will be a drug for my type [of MS] in my lifetime and there may even be a cure for everyone with MS."

The 52-year-old has stopped eating meat and dairy products which has helped control her symptoms such as weakness in her arms and legs, and balance problems.

An exercise and physiotherapy programme helps build her strength and she no longer walks with a stick.

"I just want to live a normal life and I will do whatever I can to stop the progression," Kiewicz says.

"No-one wants to end up in a wheelchair, that's everybody's dread and worry for that to happen."

Innate Therapeutics chief executive Simon Wilkinson says the new drug is a naturally occurring agent derived from bacteria, and also has the potential to fight cancers.

"We have chosen MS as our initial disease target because of very encouraging signs we have seen in a small number of patients who had early access [under the Medicines Act] to the drug on compassionate grounds," he said.

Multiple Sclerosis Society of New Zealand national director Rosie Gallagher says the society is "extremely excited" about the prospect of a new medication.

"There has been very little progress in terms of disease therapies for those with this type of MS, and the fact that it is being developed by a Kiwi company and trialled within New Zealand is a great highlight for us," she says.