Been a long wait!

HOMEX - Melbourne

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In a breakthrough insulin study announced today, Eiffel Technologies
Ltd (EIF: ASX) has successfully employed its supercritical fluid
re-engineering techniques to dramatically increase the effectiveness
of insulin in preclinical studies. In a consultant report on the
Eiffel preclinical studies, by the renowned international expert on
diabetes and Director of the International Diabetes Institute in
Australia, Professor Paul Zimmet, he said "this micronised form (of
insulin) is at least three times as effective, and possibly more so,
than the native insulin".

Independent animal trials were conducted earlier this year by the
Metabolic Research Unit at Deakin University to investigate the
effects of particle re-engineering on pharmaceutical grade insulin
using supercritical fluid (SCF) technology. The insulin was
re-engineered by Eiffel Technologies, a specialist chemical
engineering company that uses supercritical fluid processing
techniques to reduce drug particle size and achieve controlled
particle design of new and existing pharmaceutical compounds.

The preclinical studies examined the effect on blood glucose levels
in rats of SCF processed insulin and compared the result with
standard pharmaceutical grade insulin, producing some surprising
results. "The micronised insulin not only retains full activity in
reducing blood glucose concentrations in the rats after SCF
processing but also has an enhanced hypoglycaemic effect," said
Professor Zimmet. "In addition, the duration of action of the
micronised insulin appears to be greater than the native insulin."

Over 40% of pharmaceutical products on the market have problems with
bioavailability and SCF techniques are being rapidly investigated for
their ability to improve the performance of pharmaceuticals within
the body and also to offer alternative and more patient-friendly
delivery. "It is clear from the data that the supercritical fluid
processing of the insulin does not reduce its activity and, in fact,
appears to enhance it," said Professor Zimmet. The International
Diabetes Institute predicts there are 60 - 70 million people
worldwide requiring insulin therapy and this figure is expected to
double by 2025.

The findings in this report are important on a number of fronts. The
pharmaceutical market for diabetes is estimated at over US$7 billion
a year and SCF reprocessing may offer significant cost reductions for
insulin manufacturers. The extended duration of action of the SCF
processed insulin also suggests that the frequency of injection by
people with diabetes may be reduced.

The results with the insulin protein also suggests this technology
may have applications for other therapeutic protein/peptide drugs
where the main considerations of delivery (predominantly by
injection) and cost of manufacture could be addressed. There are over
100 therapeutic proteins and peptides currently on the market with
over 350 in development. Eiffel Technologies recently filed a
provisional patent application relating to the results from this
insulin study.

In Australia, diabetes is one of the most costly diseases in both
human and economic terms. Its annual cost to the nation exceeds $1.2
billion, it shortens life expectancy by up to 15 years, and its level
of incidence has trebled since 1981. It is a major risk factor for
heart disease, kidney failure and blindness. Type 1 diabetes results
from an autoimmune destruction of the pancreatic beta cells which
produce insulin. In this form of diabetes, insulin is required for
survival and it accounts for 10% of all persons with diabetes in
Australia. Type 2 diabetes is characterised by the body's resistance
to insulin and the impaired insulin production by the pancreas. It
accounts for over 85% of people with diabetes in Australia. Obesity
and a sedentary lifestyle are major contributors to Type 2 diabetes
and lifestyle intervention is the primary approach to disease
management. Over half the number of cases of diabetes in Australia go
undiagnosed.

Eiffel Technologies Ltd, is a bioengineering company focused on
improving the performance and delivery of pharmaceuticals, proteins
and peptides. Based in Melbourne, Australia, the company is dedicated
to the development and commercialisation of SCF drug re-engineering
technologies to improve therapeutic outcomes and patient
administration of new and currently marketed pharmaceuticals. Eiffel
Technologies Ltd has international collaborations with Sheffield
Pharmaceuticals Inc, Amarin Corporation Plc, Profile Therapeutics Plc
and BattellePharma Inc. For more information on Eiffel, see the
Company website www.eiffeltechnologies.com.au for details.


For further information, please contact:

Professor Paul Zimmet
DIRECTOR
National Diabetes Research Institute
Phone: +61 3 9258 5049

Christine Cussen
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
Eiffel Technologies Limited
Phone: +61 3 9629 8022
[email protected]