D-Pharm has completed enrolment for its phase IIb clinical trial of DP-b99. DP-b99 is a unique neuroprotective drug, which addresses the array of damaging processes occurring in the brains of stroke patients. The phase IIb trial results are expected to be available towards the end of 2006 following completion of the 3-month follow-up period.

"Patient enrolment into stroke trials is notoriously difficult to plan, therefore, I'm very satisfied that we've managed, to complete enrolments without major delays. D-Pharm is indebted to all the investigators and other team members in the study sites in Germany, Israel and South Africa, whose dedicated efforts and meticulous work enabled the timely completion of this task" stated Dr Gilad Rosenberg, D-Pharm's VP, Clinical Development.

The current double blind, placebo controlled, multi-centre, international trial is designed to reconfirm the efficacy and beneficial effect of DP-b99 previously observed in stroke patients, as well as to strengthen and extend the safety data obtained from the phase IIa study. The study enrolled patients with ischemic stroke accompanied by language dysfunction, visual field defect or inattention with a baseline NIHSS score of 7 to 20. Patients were recruited in 25 centres in Germany, Israel and latterly also in South Africa. In this trial DP-b99 was administered intravenously, once daily, over 4 days with the first administration up to 9 hours following stroke onset. The patient group is stratified into those treated within six hours or within six to nine hours following stroke onset. Thus, in addition to confirming safety and efficacy, D-Pharm expects this study to clearly define the optimal patient population and therapeutic window for DP-b99.

Clinical, laboratory and electrocardiography safety data has been monitored throughout the trial by an independent Drug Safety Monitoring Board. To date, no differences have been found between the placebo and active drug groups with respect to adverse events or other safety measures, and following each of the Board's reviews, the recommendation was to continue the study as planned. Cato Research served as the clinical research organization for this study.

Stroke is the leading cause of neurological disability worldwide and reflects a considerable unmet need in effective acute stroke therapy, which DP-b99 aims to address.

DP-b99 is a discovery product, rationally designed using D-Pharm's proprietary technology, Membrane Active Chelators (MAC). Considerable evidence suggests that redistribution of metal ions and disturbances in metal ion homeostasis are key components in the cascade of events underlying cell damage in stroke.