Good ann. after market close yesterday. Strange that a market sensitive ann. would be ut out after close. Very significant results. Pathway of action emulates exercising. This could have huge applications.
cheers.
CARDIA TECHNOLOGIES LTD MELBOURNE OFFICE Level 1, 89 High Street, Kew. VIC. 3101. Australia Telephone (03) 9853 3566 Facsimile (03) 9853 3611 Email [email protected] TO: COMPANY ANNOUNCEMENTS OFFICE AUSTRALIAN STOCK EXCHANGE LIMITED DATE: 12 December 2003 FURTHER PROGRESS IN ISF-402 TYPE 2 DIABETES PROJECT The Board of Cardia are pleased to announce that the latest Quarterly Research Update received from the International Diabetes Institute ("IDI") team of scientists at Monash University shows further positive progress in the testing of the ISF-402 peptide drug for Type 2 diabetes. The IDI Report provides the results of experiments conducted over a twelve-week period, which further demonstrated that regular injections of ISF-402 into insulinresistant Zucker rats improved insulin sensitivity. There were no apparent adverse side effects from the treatment as assessed by normal weight gain by the rats over the 12 weeks of treatment. This finding augurs well for ISF-402 as a potential new Type 2 diabetes drug with an enhanced safety profile. Results from experiments on muscle cells also showed that ISF-402 made low doses of insulin more effective. Exposure of muscle cells to ISF-402 activated an enzyme called AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) over a twenty-four hour period. AMPK is normally activated by exercise and its actions in total result in increased sensitivity to insulin and improved glucose disposal, suggesting that ISF402 may mimic the beneficial effects of exercise. Notably ISF-402 was more potent than the currently used diabetic drug metformin, since several times more metformin was required to achieve similar levels of AMPK activation. Oral efficacy experiments are currently underway to test the susceptibility of ISF-402 to digestion by gastric enzymes and to whether insulin sensitivity is improved similarly to that seen when it is administered by injection. Results on the stability of ISF-402 and its susceptibility to degradation by digestive enzymes are expected by the end of December 2003. In summary, the research objectives of the past quarter have all been achieved with ISF-402 continuing to show positive results as a potential drug for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes. A copy of a Press Release is attached. Pat Volpe CHAIRMAN ACN 064 755 237 CARDIA TECHNOLOGIES LTD MELBOURNE OFFICE Level 1, 89 High Streets, Kew. VIC. 3101. Australia Telephone (03) 9853 3566 Facsimile (03) 9853 3611 Email [email protected] PRESS RELEASE DATE: 12 December, 2003 CARDIA ANNOUNCES A NEW COMPOUND WHICH IMPROVES THE EFFICACY OF INSULIN – POTENTIAL FOR TABLET TREATMENT FOR TYPE 2 DIABETES A potential new drug developed for Australian Listed Biotech Company, Cardia Technologies Limited, by Melbourne scientists at the International Diabetes Institute and Monash University has shown in animal trials to improve the efficacy of insulin - apparently by mimicking the effect of exercise. In people with diabetes, exercise has long been known to make insulin more effective - allowing diabetics to better manage the disease. The new drug - called ISF-402 - will enter human trials potentially in 2005 following the success of animal trials. Cardia’s subsidiary, Dia-B Tech Limited, will manage the project. Former Federal Health Minister, Dr Michael Wooldridge is Chairman of Dia-B along with board member, Sir George Alberti (former Director of the International Diabetes Federation). The subsidiary is expected to float in 2004. The test on ISF-402 showed that, when injected into obese Zucker rats the drug: • lowers blood glucose levels • increases the body’s sensitivity to insulin - allowing the hormone to ensure the blood glucose levels remain low. • promotes conversion of blood sugar to glycogen – the form in which sugar is stored in the liver and muscles as the body’s energy stores (similar to what happens after exercise) Zucker rats have an insulin resistance similar to that seen in humans with Type 2 Diabetes. The latest study revealed that regular injections of ISF-402 into insulin-resistant Zucker rats improved insulin sensitivity. There were no apparent adverse side effects from the treatment as assessed by normal weight gain by the rats over the 12 weeks of treatment. Professor Paul Zimmet, leader of the research team and Director of the International Diabetes Institute, said that the "finding augurs well for ISF-402 as a potential new Type 2 diabetes drug with an enhanced safety profile". He added that results from experiments on muscle cells also showed that ISF-402 made low doses of insulin more effective. Exposure of muscle cells to the drug activated an enzyme called AMP activated protein kinase (AMPK) over a twenty-four hour period. AMPK is normally activated by exercise and its actions in total result in increased sensitivity to insulin and improved glucose disposal, suggesting that ISF402 may mimic the beneficial effects of exercise. Notably in these trials ISF-402 was several times more effective than the currently used diabetic drug metformin in achieving similar levels of AMPK activation. The scientists are now testing whether oral administration of the drug reduces its efficacy (because of the effects of gastric enzymes etc). Initial results are expected by the end of 2003. For further information contact Cardia Chairman Pat Volpe on 0412 088 858 Professor Paul Zimmet on 0418 359 151
CNN Price at posting:
0.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held