Emisphere Technologies, Inc announced that the company is introducing and launching its first commercially available product, oral Eligen B12 (100 mcg). Oral Eligen B12 (100 mcg) has been specifically developed to help improve vitamin B12 absorption and bioavailability with a patented formulation.

"We are very excited that our first product introduction will help to advance the field of nutrition by offering a superior oral formulation to improve vtamin B12 absorption and bioavailability," said Michael V Novinski, president and chief executive officer, Emisphere Technologies. "By partnering with Life Extension, a highly respected company in the nutrient and supplement field, we are confident that we will have the proper marketing and sales infrastructure to allow oral Eligen B12 (100 mcg) to be successful."

In a trial with healthy subjects conducted last year, Eligen B12 (100 mcg) resulted in a ten-fold increase in peak serum B12 blood levels, a two fold improvement in total bioavailability and a reduction in absorption time greater than 90 per cent as compared to standard oral commercial formulations.

"Oral Eligen B12 (100 mcg) is a scientific breakthrough that will help many individuals by increasing vitamin B12 levels in the body," noted Dr Michael Rothkopf, director of Atlantic Health's Metabolic Medicine and Weight Control Center in Morristown, New Jersey. "It has a different mechanism of action than other available formulations which will also prove to be a benefit."

Steven V Joyal, vice president of Scientific Affairs at Life Extension stated, "We are truly committed to maximizing the opportunity with oral Eligen B12 (100 mcg) and other future products utilizing the Eligen Technology. We pride ourselves in bringing forward advanced nutritional supplements for our customers and we believe that Eligen B12 represents that type of innovative offering we are always seeking."

Life Extension will have certain exclusivity in the USA for distribution via the internet and also at specialty health food and nutritional retail outlets including; The vitamin Shoppe, GNC and vitamin World. Oral Eligen B12 (100mcg) tablets will be available starting November of this year. Financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

"This development and milestone represents a new day at Emisphere Technologies," emphasizes Novinski. "We are especially proud that our first commercial offering will have the potential to revolutionize the nutritional field and bring great benefit to people dependent on supplementing their natural vitamin B12 levels."

Emisphere is also working on a high dose Medical Food Eligen B12 product (1000 mcg) to compete directly with the standard high dose B12 injection currently administered to millions of individuals under medical supervision for B12 deficiency. It is estimated that between 30 and 40 million high dose injections of B12 are given each year in the US alone and over 250 million such injections are given worldwide. Emisphere is currently conducting a clinical study with Eligen(R) B12 (1000 mcg) which is expected to be completed in 2010.

Oral Eligen B12 (100 mcg) and the foregoing statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. Oral Eligen B12 (100 mcg) is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Emisphere is a biopharmaceutical company that focuses on a unique and improved delivery of therapeutic molecules or nutritional supplements using its proprietary Eligen Technology.