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A Phase
1 clinical trial has begun on Oratonin™, an oral form
of calcitonin, for the treatment of osteoporosis.
"We
believe that an oral formulation of calcitonin will address
a significant unmet medical need for patients suffering from
osteoporosis," said Christopher H. Price, PhD, President
and CEO of Nobex Corporation, who along with Elan Corporation
is testing the drug that is currently only available by injection
or nasal spray.
The new
formulation of the drug attaches a polymer to the calcitonin
molecule that protects it from being destroyed by stomach
enzymes and enables the delivery of the drug to the bloodstream.
Calcitonin
is a hormone produced by the thyroid gland that lowers the
level of calcium and phosphate in the blood and helps prevent
the resorption of bone, thereby decreasing the risk of fracture
in the osteoporosis patient.
Source:
Medical Week staff,
week of April 28, 2002
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