NasVax Ltd. (TASE: NSVX) today announced positive results in its Phase IIa clinical trial of its oral anti-CD3 immunotherapy for the treatment of non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), or fatty liver disease. The trial on 36 patients at Hadassah Medical Center Ein Kerem in Jerusalem found that the product was safe and indicated efficacy along various parameters.
NasVax's share price rose 6.5% today to NIS 1.59, giving a market cap of NIS 59 million.
The trial found that the anti-CD3 antibody affected the body's immune system as hoped, by increasing the number of T regulatory cells in the immune system and lowering the level of enzymes in the liver which indicate liver inflammation. The study also found that blood sugar and insulin levels fell in diabetics participating in the trial.
Nonetheless, NasVax is holding off a multi-center Phase IIb clinical trial because it wants to use a human derived antibody, instead of the mouse derived antibody used until now. Development of the human derived antibody should not be technologically difficult, but it will require time and a small bridge study with the new product.
NasVax CEO Dr. Rom Eliaz said, "We believe that we cannot begin a Phase IIb trial before 2013, unless we can meanwhile sign a cooperation agreement with a large company."
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 21, 2011
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