Oramed Pharmaceuticals Inc. (Bulletin Board:ORMP); DAX:OJU) has reported positive results from a Phase IIa clinical trial of its oral insulin capsule, ORMD-0801, for the treatment of type 1 diabetes (juvenile diabetes).
All of Oramed's previous trials of the drug were for type 2 diabetes, and the company is currently undertaking a Phase IIb trial in South Africa for treating this disease.
The trial for type 1 diabetes found that the oral insulin capsule was well tolerated by patients and no serious adverse events were observed. The insulin absorption was not affected when the pill was given before a meal.
Previous attempts to develop oral insulin have failed because the digestive juices broke down the insulin before it reached the blood. Oramed's product includes enzymes that attach to the insulin protecting it from the digestive juices.
The technology was developed at Hadassah Medical Center in Jerusalem, where the company is located.
Oramed's share rose 1.8% at the opening in New York to $0.57.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on July 22, 2009
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