US clears Lev Pharma drug for rare swelling disease

WASHINGTON, Oct 10 (Reuters) - U.S. health regulators on Friday approved Lev Pharmaceuticals Inc's LEVP.OB experimental drug to treat a rare genetic disease that causes swelling of the hands, feet and other parts of the body.

The drug, called Cinryze, aims to treat hereditary angioedema, a spontaneous and potentially deadly disorder that can be triggered by stress, surgery or infection, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration said in a statement.

ViroPharma Inc (VPHM.O) has agreed to buy Lev in a $443 million deal expected to be completed by the end of the year. (Reporting by Susan Heavey; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)