Migraine sufferers have been offered hope of relief, after trials showed a new injection could prevent attacks.
One in 10 are afflicted by migraines causing dizziness, nausea and crippling pain.
Although painkillers can ease the symptoms, they do not work for everyone. But early trials suggest a breakthrough drug can significantly reduce the number of attacks.
Alder BioPharmaceuticals said that in a trial of 600 people, its injection cut the number of migraine episodes by 75 per cent in a third of participants. The firm, which saw its shares jump 50 per cent when it announced the results, hopes to make the drug available to patients in three years.
It is one of four major pharmaceutical companies racing to create the first drug specifically designed to treat migraines. Amgen, Eli Lilly and Teva, are all competing with Alder to get the first licence for the medication. Analysts predict the market could be worth £6billion a year worldwide.