HAMPSHIRE-BASED pharmaceutical company Solvay Healthcare has vowed to donate £60,000 to the war against cystic fibrosis.

The company, which employs 40 people at its Hedge End headquarters, has been making drugs for more than 100 years to help sufferers of the condition eat normal diets.

Now genetic research is throwing new light on the disease and raising hopes for a cure and, bucking the bad reputation of the pharmaceutical industry, Solvay wants to give something back.

The UK company, a small part of a massive 150 year old international firm which employs 36,000 people, will donate £12,500 a year for the next five years to the Cystic Fibrosis Trust's Gene Therapy Research Fund.

In the UK, where one person in 25 is a carrier of the cystic fibrosis gene, there is a baby born with Cystic Fibrosis nearly every day.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited genetic disease, mainly affecting the lungs and digestive system. Sufferers face twice-daily sessions of physiotherapy to clear thick mucus that collects in their lungs, and also need to take antibiotics to limit infections as well as special enzymes to help their digestive systems break down fat.

Solvay's £60,000 will go towards funding gene therapy research at three specialist centres within the UK, focussed on finding a cure for the lung problems associated with cystic fibrosis.

Solvay's chief executive Dr John Peters said: "The prime reason for us is to put something back but I think if you're doing that, why not stand up and say so, particularly at a time when the industry is not getting a great press and is portrayed as a bunch of fat cats.

"The trust is investing most of its money into finding a cure and they are quite optimistic they will find one."

Rosie Barnes, chief executive of the Cystic Fibrosis Trust, said: "We are absolutely delighted with Solvay's continued support and commitment.

"We hope to see a significant breakthrough within the next five years, which will make a real difference to the lives of all those with cystic fibrosis."