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GLP-1 Has Potential to Treat Type 2 Diabetes Using Emisphere's Eligen(R) Technology
CEDAR KNOLLS, NJ, USA | July 8, 2008 | Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: EMIS) today announced findings from a clinical study assessing the oral delivery of GLP-1 peptide safely and effectively. The study used a delivery-agent-based approach using Emisphere's Eligen(R) technology, and was conducted at University Hospital in Basel, Switzerland by Christoph Beglinger, M.D., of the Clinical Research Center, Department of Biomedicine Division of Gastroenterology, and Department of Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology at the hospital.
Prof. Beglinger's study, conducted in 16 healthy male subjects, was designed to explore the pharmacodynamic effects of a single oral dose of GLP-1 administered 15 minutes prior to an oral glucose tolerance test.
For the study, GLP-1 was formulated as a tablet with Emisphere's delivery agent known as SNAC. This was Prof. Beglinger's second clinical study of the compound, and it confirmed his earlier results that SNAC allows for rapid oral absorption of GLP-1. Prof. Beglinger's study also showed that pharmacological levels were achieved after a 2 mg oral dose. The study demonstrated that the oral formulation of GLP-1 stimulated an early increase in fasting insulin and a decrease in fasting glucose as compared to placebo.
"An intravenous or subcutaneous application of GLP-1 is cumbersome and impractical for chronic treatment regimens. Oral application of peptides is, however, difficult as peptides have a low oral bioavailability due to their molecular size and physico-chemical characteristics," said Prof. Beglinger. "Emisphere's oral delivery approach has been developed to overcome some of these issues."
"Prof. Beglinger's study provides yet further evidence in the application of our Eligen(R) technology as a potential solution to critical hurdles in pharmaceutical development. Hopefully, its use with GLP-1 in the treatment of diabetes will improve healthcare for millions of patients," said Michael V. Novinski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Emisphere.
Emisphere's Eligen(R) technology is based on the development of small organic molecules, termed delivery agents or carriers, that interact non-covalently with macromolecules to enable their oral absorption. GLP-1 is rapidly absorbed after oral administration with SNAC. Emisphere announced on June 23, 2008 that it entered a Development and License Agreement with Novo Nordisk A/S focused on the development of oral formulations of Novo Nordisk's proprietary GLP-1 receptor agonists.
ABOUT EMISPHERE TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
Emisphere Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules and pharmaceutical compounds using its Eligen(R) Technology. Some of these molecules or compounds can only be given by injection; when combined with our technology; convenient oral versions may be safe, effective and provide significant advantages. The benefits of other compounds are limited due to poor bioavailability, slow on-set of action or variable absorption. In those cases, use of Emisphere's technology can improve the therapeutic effectiveness of the compounds. The Eligen(R) technology can be applied to the oral route of administration as well other delivery pathways. The Web site is: www.emisphere.com.
SOURCE Emisphere Technologies, Inc. |
