Kamada Ltd. (TASE: KMDA) is preparing to conduct a Phase I/II safety and preliminary efficacy clinical trial of its intravenous Alpha-1 Antitrypsin (AAT) gene replacement therapy for the treatment of type 1 diabetes. The company plans to begin the trial, which will include at least 20 patients, in Israel in the first half of the year.
The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug, known commercially as Glassia, a few months ago for the treatment of congenital emphysema. US sales total several million dollars.
Diabetes is an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas does not excrete insulin, requiring regular insulin injections to balance blood sugar levels.
Kamada CEO David Tsur said, "We are pleased to enter the diabetes field, and we hope to achieve a global breakthrough in the treatment and cure of juvenile diabetes."
Kamada's share price rose 1.5% in morning trading to NIS 31, giving a market cap of NIS 841 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 9, 2011
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