Oramed in early stages of development of insulin capsule

JERUSALEM Oramed Pharmaceuticals is working on a new type of insulin drug for patients with Type 2 diabetes, this time, though, the drug is in a capsule form. The new capsule copies the way the body naturally processes the insulin.

The capsule causes insulin to penetrate from the gastrointestinal tract onto the liver. The organ then regulates the intake of the hormone prior to passing it onto the circulatory system. This revolutionizes the way in which insulin is delivered to the body by enabling its passage in a more physiologically normal manner. Oramed’s oral insulin capsule may make it possible for hundreds of millions of diabetics worldwide to receive earlier treatment of insulin, which would allow them to better control their diabetes.

“A capsule option would be a first choice for diabetics if it was available and a best-case solution,” says Nadav Kidron, chief executive officer of Oramed. “Oral insulin delivery is an idea with huge potential not only for patients who dislike needles but, with the insulin market generating $25 billion per year in worldwide revenues, it represents an enormous opportunity for drug developers as well.”

Oramed recently completed its Phase 1A clinical trials, which successfully assessed both the safety/tolerability and indicated absorption properties of the oral insulin capsule.