REVENUES rose 65 per cent to £18.3m, up from £11.1m last year, at pharma firm Circassia.

The Oxford Science Park-based company specialising in respiratory disease and allergy, announced half-year results to June 30, yesterday.

Sales of asthma drug Niox, were up 19 per cent and under a deal with AstraZeneca, which took a 40 per cent stake in the Oxford firm earlier this year, Circassia markets Turdoza which treats chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Circassia’s loss for the period was £34.3m, down from £101.8m.

Chief executive Steve Harris said the firm will continue to add to its 85-staff in Oxford.