Access Pharmaceuticals, Reduce Glucose Levels in Pre-clinical Testing of Cobalamin Oral Insulin

Dec. 7 , 2007 - Access Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTC Bulletin Board: ACCP) announced that it has demonstrated the ability, using the company's proprietary Cobalamin(TM) technology, to significantly reduce glucose levels in an animal model of diabetes, through its oral insulin product candidate. Several formulations using Cobalamin, which is based upon the body's natural absorption of vitamin B12 in the gastrointestinal tract, were tested in an animal model of diabetes. Additional pre-clinical studies are planned... [PDF] Access Pharmaceuticals' Press Release -

Keryx , Sulodexide Phase 3 study to continue without modification

Dec. 5, 2007 - Keryx Biopharmaceuticals (Nasdaq: KERX) announced that the Independent Data Safety Monitoring Committee (DSMC) responsible for monitoring Sulonex(TM) (sulodexide oral gelcaps), the Company's lead drug candidate under development as a treatment for diabetic nephropathy , recently met to evaluate the data from the ongoing Phase 3 trial... Keryx Biopharmaceuticals' Press Release -

Targacept , TC-6499, Neuropathic Pain Candidate

December 10, 2007 - Targacept, Inc. (Nasdaq: TRGT), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company developing a new class of drugs known as NNR Therapeutics (TM), announced that it has initiated a Phase I clinical trial of its product candidate TC-6499. The initiation of the trial triggers a $6.0 million milestone payment to Targacept under the terms of its alliance agreement with GlaxoSmithKline...Neuropathic pain is characterized as severe, stabbing, burning or tingling and is most often associated with diabetes mellitus... Targacept's Press Release -

Trinity Biotech, FDA Clearance of TRIstat Point-of-Care HbA1c Test

November 29th, 2007 - Trinity Biotech plc (NASDAQ: TRIB) a leading developer and manufacturer of diagnostic products for the point-of-care and clinical laboratory markets, announced that the US Food and Drug Administration has given clearance to market the rapid, point-of-care TRIstat™ HbA1c system... [PDF] Trinity Biotech's Press Release -

Phase IIb Trial of EpiCept NP-1 in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy

Dec 03, 2007 - EpiCept Corporation (Nasdaq and OMX Nordic Exchange: EPCT) announced that it has completed patient enrollment in the Phase IIb "Neuracept" trial for EpiCept(TM) NP-1 cream. EpiCept NP-1 is a patented topical cream formulation of two FDA- approved drugs, 4% amitriptyline and 2% ketamine, and is intended to provide long-term relief from the pain of peripheral neuropathies... EpiCept 's Press Release -

Regenetech , Preclinical Studies at Johns Hopkins University with Expanded Adult Stem Cells for Type 1 Diabetes Treatment

14 November 2007 - Regenetech, Inc. announces that it has signed a Sponsored Research Agreement (SRA) with Johns Hopkins University in order to work toward a treatment for type 1 diabetes. This is in addition to the research agreements which the Company currently has in place with Texas A&M University and the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston. Regenetech is pioneering the development and commercialization of technology which the company believes will enable regenerative therapy with adult stem cells for widespread use... Regenetech's Press Release -

Cardium, Phase 2b Excellarate Clinical Study for Diabetic Ulcers

Nov. 14, 2007--Cardium Therapeutics (AMEX:CXM) and its subsidiary, Tissue Repair Company (TRC) announced the start of recruitment for its Phase 2b clinical trial (MATRIX) to evaluate the safety and efficacy of Excellarate(TM) for the potential treatment of non-healing diabetic foot ulcers. Excellarate is a DNA-based topical gel that is being developed to be administered once or twice to stimulate wound healing... Cardium's Press Release -

DexCom, FDA Approval to Calibrate Its SEVEN Continuous Glucose Monitoring System Using Any FDA Cleared Blood Glucose Meter

November 16, 2007 - DexCom, Inc. (NASDAQ: DXCM) announced that it has received Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval to calibrate the SEVEN^TM, its seven-day continuous glucose monitoring system, using any FDA cleared blood glucose meter. With this approval, patients will be able to calibrate the system without using a connection cable. DexCom expects to launch this feature to new patients near the end of the first quarter of 2008 and upgrade existing patients during the second quarter of 2008... DexCom's Press Release -

DIAMYD, A TYPE 1 DIABETES TRIAL WITH THE EXPERIMENTAL DIAMYD DIABETES VACCINE

November 22, 2007 - Diamyd Medical announced that it has executed a Clinical Trial Agreement with the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) for a planned clinical study with the Diamyd® GAD-alum diabetes vaccine in 126 new onset type 1 diabetes patients. The clinical study will be conducted by the NIDDK-sponsored consortium Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet. Under the terms of the agreement, Diamyd Medical will supply clinical-grade material (i.e. Diamyd® and placebo) for the trial... Diamyd's Press Release -

JDRF and Lilly, Research to Identify Beta Cell Biomarkers

Nov 14, 2007 - The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and Eli Lilly and Company announced today that they are joining together to create a $3 million research effort to accelerate the pace of research into drugs and therapies to cure diabetes and its complications by developing biomarkers -- indicators that can measure the progress of disease and the effectiveness of therapeutics... Lilly's Press Release -

Osiris Therapeutics, Phase II Clinical Trial Evaluating Prochymal(TM) for Type 1 Diabetes

Oct 25, 2007 - "Prochymal has shown promise in Phase II clinical trials as a therapy for severe immune mediated conditions including Crohn's Disease and GVHD, and as a result has advanced into Phase III pivotal trials," said C. Randal Mills, Ph.D., President and CEO of Osiris Therapeutics. "It is appropriate to evaluate related conditions such as type 1 diabetes, where data indicates Prochymal may also be of therapeutic benefit. We are honored that JDRF has selected Prochymal as a promising new therapy for evaluation."... Osiris Therapeutics' Press Release -