CEDAR KNOLLS, N.J., Oct. 22, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:EMIS) announced today that Novartis Pharma AG ("Novartis") provided Emisphere with information regarding the First Interpretable Results of the two-year Phase III Study 2301 in osteoarthritis conducted by its license partner Nordic Bioscience with oral calcitonin (SMC021).
The recently completed study assesses the safety and efficacy of oral calcitonin in the treatment of osteoarthritis of the knee and had three co-primary endpoints. Novartis informed Emisphere that preliminary analysis of the data from this study shows that the endpoint for the first of three co-primary endpoints, joint space width narrowing, was not met. Novartis also informed Emisphere that results regarding the other two co-primary endpoints indicated clinical efficacy related to symptom modification (WOMAC scales: pain, function). In addition, according to Novartis, MRI analyses suggested an effect on cartilage.
Nordic Bioscience and Novartis have indicated that they are going to continue to work together to further analyze and evaluate the results of this study. The second two-year Phase III Study 2302, which also assesses safety and efficacy of oral calcitonin of patients with osteoarthritis of the knee, is currently ongoing. Additionally, the Phase III clinical program of oral calcitonin in osteoporosis continues.
About Emisphere Technologies, Inc.
Emisphere is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules or nutritional supplements 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 as other delivery pathways, such as buccal, rectal, inhalation, intra-vaginal or transdermal. The company's website is: 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. 000-17758) filed on March 25, 2010, Emisphere's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 17, 2010, and Emisphere's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 16, 2010.