DIAMYD ANNOUNCES COMPLETION OF TYPE 1 DIABETES VACCINE TRIAL WITH LONG TERM EFFICACY DEMONSTRATED AT 30 MONTHS
Press Release, Stockholm, Sweden, January 21, 2008 – Diamyd Medical AB (www.omxgroup.com, ticker: DIAM B; www.otcqx.com, ticker DMYDY)
Diamyd Medical announces today that its novel diabetes vaccine Diamyd®, has demonstrated statistically significant long-term efficacy in preservation of beta cell function, i.e. endogenous insulin producing capacity, in patients with type 1 diabetes.
The results were reported on Saturday, January 19, at the Karl-Stolte Symposium in Hannover, Germany, by Professor Johnny Ludvigsson, University of Linkoping, Sweden, the Principal Investigator of the study. The 30 month results comprise the final timepoint for the now-completed Diamyd® study. Positive results have previously been reported after 15 and 21 months.
As reported by professor Ludvigsson, the Phase IIb study with the Diamyd® therapeutic diabetes vaccine met its primary endpoint regarding preservation of beta cell function as measured by C-peptide, a marker for the body’s natural insulin production. As previously reported, the clear positive effect of Diamyd® on preservation of beta cell function is also accompanied by a significant and specific immune response, an additional important factor in evaluating the effectiveness of the therapy since it is believed Diamyd® acts by modifying the patient’s immune system.
The Diamyd® study, which was conducted at 8 clinical sites in Sweden, included 70 patients aged 10-18 who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes within 18 months. 35 patients received two single injections of Diamyd® and 35 patients received placebo. The newly-presented data showed that 30 months after the first injection, the Diamyd®-treated group showed statistically significant better preservation of insulin secretion, both in fasting state and after meal stimulation, compared to placebo. This indicates that Diamyd® has successfully protected the beta cell function. The protective effect remains most pronounced in patients treated early after disease diagnosis.
“Saving a patient’s beta cell function is of great clinical value as it makes it easier for the patient to handle the disease and leads to an improved quality of life”, says Professor Ludvigsson. ”It has also been shown that even a small maintained beta cell function in progressed type 1 diabetes can reduce acute and late complications”.
“These results are extremely positive”, says Elisabeth Lindner, CEO and President for Diamyd Medical. ”These data demonstrate that the Diamyd® treatment provides a long term, lasting benefit for beta cell function in type 1 diabetes patients. Additionally, the treatment is very easy to administer and appears safe, with no treatment-related serious adverse events seen in any trial to date. The plan is now to commence Phase III studies in order to confirm the positive results and then to apply for registration of the product”.