Intec Pharma Ltd. (TASE: INTP) today reported success in the Phase I clinical trial of its accordion pill for the treatment of spasticity in patients with multiple sclerosis, infantile paralysis, and chronic spinal damage.
Analysis of the trial found that the range of levels of the drug from a single daily dose of the accordion pill was equivalent to three daily dosages of current pills given every eight hours. Drug absorption by the bloodstream was greatly extended up to 11 hours, compared with 2.5 hours for drugs now on the market. The result is greatly reduced volatility in the level of the drug in the blood.
The significance of the results is that one daily dose using Intec's pill can provide benefits similar to the three-times daily dose of current pills. Intec's accordion pill extends the time that medication stays in the stomach.
The clinical trial by BioStudies clinical trial unit, with the approval of the ethics committee Soroka Medical Center in Beersheva. The trial included 12 healthy volunteers who received both Intec Pharma's accordion pill and current pills on the market. The study examined levels of the drug in the blood during the 24 hours after taking the pills.
Intec Pharma CEO Giora Carni said, "Success of this trial is another milestone toward realizing the company's vision of becoming the global leader in drug enhancement."
Intec Pharma's share rose 4.7% to NIS 0.97 by early afternoon, giving a market cap of NIS 136 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 18, 2010
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