BiolineRX Ltd. (Nasdaq: BLRX); TASE:BLRX) today reported positive results in the preclinical trial of BL-7010, its treatment for celiac disease. The study found that BL-7010 was safe and reduces digestion of wheat gluten, thereby decreasing its toxicity. The research was published in the February edition of "Gastroenterology."
BL-7010 also attenuates the immune response to gluten in rodents and prevents gluten-induced pathological damage to the small intestine. BL-7010 was not absorbed systemically, indicating its safety as a gluten-neutralizing substance. These data demonstrate that BL-7010 has the potential to be an effective adjunctive therapy to the gluten-free diet to prevent or reduce gluten-induced disorders in humans.
BioLineRx CEO Dr. Kinneret Savitsky said, "Celiac disease is a highly prevalent autoimmune disease, which occurs in genetically predisposed individuals who are exposed to gluten, a protein found in wheat, barley and rye. Currently, there is no cure or pharmacological treatment for the disease, and treatment consists of adhering to a life-long, strict, gluten-free diet, which is extremely hard to maintain and is not effective in all cases."
BiolineRX's share price rose 4.2% by mid-afternoon on the TASE today to NIS 1.37, after closing at $3.64 on Nasdaq on Friday, giving a market cap of $48 million.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on February 21, 2012
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