Emisphere Technologies Announces The Launch Of A Human Clinical Trial For Oral Parathyroid Hormone (PTH)

Main Category: Endocrinology
Also Included In: Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 01 Jul 2008 - 1:00 PDT

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Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: EMIS) announced that Novartis Pharma AG has launched a Phase I study in postmenopausal women to determine the safety and tolerability of oral PTH134, a combination of human PTH-1-34 and the absorption enhancer 5-CNAC using Emisphere's proprietary Eligen(R) technology, for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis. The study is designed to assess the bioavailability profile of increasing doses of PTH-1-34 combined with different amounts of 5-CNAC administered orally. The trial is being conducted in Switzerland and is estimated to yield first interpretable results by the end of the year.

Osteoporosis is a disease associated with a gradual thinning and weakening of the bones, occurring most frequently in women after menopause. Thinner and weaker bones are increasingly susceptible to fractures. Untreated postmenopausal osteoporosis can lead to chronic back pain, disabling fractures, and lost mobility.

About Emisphere Technologies, Inc.

Emisphere Technologies, Inc. is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules using its Eligen(R) technology. These molecules and compounds could be currently available or in development. Such molecules are usually delivered by injection; in many cases, their benefits are limited due to poor bioavailability, slow on-set of action or variable absorption. The Eligen(R) technology can be applied to the oral route of administration as well other delivery pathways, such as buccal, rectal, inhalation, intra-vaginal or transdermal. 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.

Emisphere Technologies, Inc.
http://www.emisphere.com