New delivery method for osteoporosis treatments tested

A new trial of a delivery system that could help treat vertebral fractures in postmenopausal women with osteoporosis is set to begin.

Recruitment has been completed for a Phase III study exploring the safety and efficacy of new technology which deliver therapeutic drugs into the body.

Emisphere Technologies said that current delivery methods were not ideal as they did not get the treatment into the patient's body in an efficient manner.

In the new trial, over 4,500 patients with osteoporosis from North and South America, Europe and Asia will be monitored for a period of three years to assess the safety and effectiveness of the new technique.

Michael Novinski commented: "This Phase III study provides yet another application of our Eligen technology in the fight against osteoporosis.

"Safe, effective and rapid treatment will make a difference in the lives of millions of women who are afflicted with the disease."

A spokeswoman for the Arthritis Research Campaign said current bisphosphonates were effective but were often difficult to digest, so new, more effective methods of delivering and ingesting the drugs were much-needed to ensure that patient continued to take them.

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