Emisphere Technologies, Inc. (OTC BB: EMIS) today announced a
meta-analysis published in the December 2009 edition of Rheumatology
Reports examining independent evidence of the analgesic action of
the hormone calcitonin. This publication restates the potential of
calcitonin in filling a significant unmet need for alternative
treatments for persistent musculoskeletal pain.
“An ideal treatment with an optimal efficacy, safety and convenience
profile is not available for the musculoskeletal pain associated with
such conditions as osteoporosis and osteoarthritis. This review of the
literature highlights the clear unmet medical need that could be
addressed by Emisphere's oral salmon calcitonin product”
Oral salmon calcitonin, which uses the proprietary absorption enhancing
Eligen® Drug Delivery Technology, is being studied in
osteoarthritis and osteoporosis by Novartis Pharma AG and Nordic
Bioscience. Scientists from Nordic Bioscience were involved in the
preparation of this meta-analysis.
Non-malignant musculoskeletal pain is the most common clinical symptom
that causes patients to seek medical attention and is a major cause of
disability in the world. Musculoskeletal pain can arise from a variety
of common conditions including osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis,
osteoporosis, surgery, low back pain and bone fracture.
The meta-analysis, conducted by researchers at the Center for
Sensory-Motor Interaction in the Department of Health Science and
Technology at Aalborg University in Denmark, examined independent
pre-clinical and clinical studies spanning nearly 45 years of the
possible intrinsic analgesic properties of calcitonin, with special
focus on the challenges in the musculoskeletal system. The authors
concluded that well-designed clinical trials should be conducted to
further validate evidence of calcitonin’s analgesic action and its
promising potential role in the management of musculoskeletal pain.