Emisphere Announces Recruitment Phase III Study For Oral Osteoarthritis Treatment

Main Category: Arthritis / Rheumatology
Also Included In: Bones / Orthopaedics;  Clinical Trials / Drug Trials;  Pharma Industry / Biotech Industry
Article Date: 23 Sep 2008 - 0:00 PDT

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Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (Nasdaq: EMIS) announced that Novartis Pharma AG and Nordic Bioscience have completed recruitment for a multi-center Phase III study exploring the safety and efficacy of an oral formulation of salmon calcitonin using Emisphere's proprietary Eligen Technology to treat patients with osteoarthritis of the knee. This study, which will be used to support the filing with health authorities worldwide, includes more than 1,100 patients between 51 and 80 years old with a medical history and symptoms of knee osteoarthritis. The study will be conducted mainly in Europe and is estimated to complete second half 2010.

Osteoarthritis ("OA") is a clinical syndrome in which low-grade inflammation results in joint pain, caused by a wearing-away of cartilage that cushions the joints and the destruction or decrease of synovial fluid that lubricates those joints. As OA progresses, pain can result when the patient bears weight upon the joints, including walking and standing. OA is the most common form of arthritis, and affects nearly 21 million people in the United States, accounting for 25% of visits to primary care physicians, and half of all non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug prescriptions. It is estimated that 80% of the population will have radiographic evidence of OA by age 65.

"The problems associated with osteoarthritis will escalate as the population ages," said Michael V. Novinski, President and Chief Executive Officer of Emisphere. "This Phase III study aims at demonstrating that oral salmon calcitonin, in combination with our Eligen drug delivery technology, may contribute to solving this problem, and also shows that Emisphere is a valuable partner in drug development."

About Emisphere Technologies, Inc.

Emisphere is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules using its Eligen 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 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 website 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 13, 2008 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, filed on August 11, 2008.

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