GLP-1 Has Potential to Treat Type 2 Diabetes Using Emisphere's Eligen(R)
Technology
CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., July 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 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: http://www.emisphere.com.
Safe Harbor Statement Regarding Forward-looking Statements
The statements in this release and oral statements made by
representatives of Emisphere relating to matters that are not historical
facts (including without limitation those regarding the timing or potential
outcomes of research collaborations or clinical trials, any market that
might develop for any of Emisphere's product candidates and the sufficiency
of Emisphere's cash and other capital resources) are forward-looking
statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited
to, the likelihood that future research will prove successful, the
likelihood that any product in the research pipeline will receive
regulatory approval in the United States or abroad, the ability of
Emisphere and/or its partners to develop, manufacture and commercialize
products using Emisphere's drug delivery technology, Emisphere's ability to
fund such efforts with or without partners, and other risks and
uncertainties detailed in Emisphere's filings with the Securities and
Exchange Commission, including those factors discussed under the caption
"Risk Factors" in Emisphere's Annual Report on Form 10-K (file no. 1-10615)
filed on March 17, 2008 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended March 31, 2008, filed on May 7, 2008.
SOURCE Emisphere Technologies, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.emisphere.com
CONTACT:
Bob Madison, Senior Director Corporate
Communications, +1-973-532-8001, bmadison@emisphere.com; or Adam
Friedman, Adam Friedman Associates, +1-212-981-2529, ext. 18,
adam@adam-friedman.com
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