Washington (SmartAboutHealth) - The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has given the big thumbs up to a new drug from Shire Human Genetic Therapies Inc., one that will treat Gaucher disease.

The drug is known as Velaglucerase Alfa for injection or (VPRIV) and will be used to treat the extremely rare and harmful Gaucher disease.

Gaucher disease is an inherited disorder that harms the body by not allowing up to create a certain type of enzyme known as glucocerebrosidase.

This particular enzyme is key to controlling the build-up of the fatty substance known as lipid.

As stated, it is a very rare disease but the news that there is now a treatment for it has many in the medical community cheering.

Clinical trials have shown that the drug is effective in treating Gaucher disease, with minor side effects being noted.

The disease impacts roughly 1 out fo every 50,000 people in the United States.