YAVNE, Israel, Sept. 12, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Andromeda Biotech Ltd. (www.andromedabio.com) announced today that it has completed patient recruitment in its' DIA-AID 2, a confirmatory Phase III clinical trial using DiaPep277® for the treatment of Type 1 diabetes.
The study includes 475 patients and is being conducted at 130 medical centers in the USA, Europe, Canada, South America, and Israel. Patients recruited to the study include adults (20-45 years old) within 6 months from diagnosis with residual insulin secreting cells. In the double blind, placebo controlled study, patients are treated once every three months with 1 mg dose of the drug or with placebo for a period of two years. The primary outcome of the study is the ability of DiaPep277® to maintain insulin secretion. Results of this trial are expected at the end of 2014.
Prof. Itamar Raz, Head of the Diabetes Unit at Hadassah University Hospital who chairs the study Steering Committee stated, "We look forward to the conclusion of the study to confirm the results from the previous study which indicated clinical benefits to patients. This provides hope to patients and gets us closer to meeting an unmet need to treat Type 1 diabetes."
"We are extremely pleased at completing the recruitment of patients to this large worldwide intervention study," said Dr. Shlomo Dagan, CEO of Andromeda. "We are encouraged by the dedication and enthusiasm of our clinical groups and patients participating in the trial and await the successful completion of the study."
About DiaPep277®
DiaPep277®, a unique peptide of 24 amino acids derived from the sequence of the human heat shock protein 60 (Hsp60), was invented by Prof Irun Cohen and his team at the Weizmann Institute of Science. The peptide acts by modulating the immune system, thus preventing the destruction of pancreatic cells that secrete insulin and preserving their natural function. Treatment of T1D patients with DiaPep277® may have several medical benefits including slowing the deterioration of the disease, improved metabolic control, reduction of daily insulin dose requirements, and reduction of diabetic complications.
About Andromeda
Andromeda Biotech Ltd., a subsidiary of Clal Biotechnology Industries Ltd. (TASE:CBI), is focused on the development of an innovative treatment for autoimmune diabetes. Andromeda's DiaPep277®, currently in Phase III Clinical Studies, is a novel therapeutic approach to treat T1D.
For more information about Andromeda Biotech please visit our site at www.andromedabio.com or contact: