GI Dynamics, Mesoblast hail diabetes trial successes

GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) and Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) have both announced promising results from separate phase II diabetes trials.

GI Dynamics has presented results from a trial of its EndoBarrier device at the International Diabetes Federation’s World Diabetes Congress in Melbourne yesterday.

EndoBarrier is an endoscopically delivered flexible liner that forms a physical barrier between food and a portion of the intestinal wall, mimicking the effects of a gastric bypass without the risks of the invasive surgery. It is designed to be removed after up to 12 months of use.

The 130 patients from three countries implanted with EndoBarrier for the trial experienced a mean body weight loss of 14.2 kg. Patients with type 2 diabetes demonstrated significant reduction in blood glucose levels, with more than half achieving healthy levels during the treatment period.

The adverse events reported were mostly gastrointestinal in nature and mild to moderate in severity.

“We are pleased to report these data during the IDF World Congress this week and share the measurable impact we are seeing EndoBarrier Therapy have on HbA1c levels, weight loss and key cardiovascular risk factors,” GI Dynamics president and CEO Stuart A Randle said.

Separately, Mesoblast today released top-line results from a phase II trial of its Mesenchymal Precursor Cells in type 2 diabetes.

Patients injected with a single infusion of the adult stem cells experienced a reduction in blood glucose levels over the 12-week study period. The MPCs were also safe and well tolerated in all participants.

At the highest dose, the treatment stimulated a peak decrease in HbA1c levels of 0.4% at the eight-week period. In less well-controlled patients, the decrease widened to 0.6%.

“We are very pleased and encouraged by these top-line results,” Mesoblast CEO Silviu Itescu said. “This is an important first step in developing an MPC-based immunomodulatory therapy for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and its complications.”

GI Dynamics (ASX:GID) shares were trading 2.08% lower at $0.705 as of around 12.30 pm on Wednesday, while Mesoblast (ASX:MSB) shares were flat at $6.19.