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According to the results from a phase 2a clinical trial, the Israeli drug manufacturing company, Oramed, has announced that its oral diabetes drug has been effective so far. The drug, which is an oral insulin capsule used to treat type 2 diabetes, successfully met all primary and secondary endpoints in the trials. The drug could potentially be the first ever oral insulin treatment option for diabetics.

"The results we announced today give us confidence about the chances of success in a bigger trial going forward," Oramed's Chief Executive Officer Nadav Kidron said reported by the Businessweek. "We are also excited about the potential of this drug for type 1 diabetes."

In this particular trial, which was carried out under the latest U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) Investigative New Drug protocol, the researchers recruited 30 patients already diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. One of the parts of the trial was an in-patient setting lasting one week.

The drug, called ORMD-0801, works by providing the body with additional insulin, which helps to slow down the diabetes' rate of degeneration. The drug was also designed to provide some relief for the pancreas.

"We are extremely pleased with the results, which give a solid validation for Oramed's platform technology in general and our oral insulin program in particular," said Kidron, reported by FOX News.

Kidron added, according to the Wall Street Journal, "Following on the results from this type 2 diabetes study we are gearing up to start a multi-center Phase 2b study later this year. We are also excited about the potential of this drug for type 1 diabetes and plan to initiate a Phase 2a FDA study for this indication in the near term."

Oramed is a company that specializes in oral drug delivery systems. More information on the trial can be found here.