Oramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. products

Diabetes is a chronic condition characterized by hyperglycemia, or elevated blood glucose levels. If left untreated, diabetes may lead to complications such as cardiovascular disease, chronic renal failure, retinopathy and amputations.

Type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM), also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, is an autoimmune disease where the immune system attacks and destroys pancreatic ß cells. Hence little or no insulin is produced to facilitate the uptake of glucose. Clinically, T1DM is marked by fluctuations in glycemic readings and poor glycemic control.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) is an incretin hormone that stimulates the secretion of insulin from the pancreas. Exenatide, a GLP-1 analog, is currently marketed in injectable form, and is indicated for treatment of type 2 diabetes. Exenatide induces insulin release at increased glucose levels and causes a feeling of satiety, which results in reduced food intake and weight loss.

The attractive advantages of oral drug delivery, including increased patient comfort and compliance, reduced risk of infection, simpler application in pediatric medicine, first-pass metabolism preceding systemic exposure, and cost effectiveness, have positioned it the most popular and preferred route of drug administration.