Oral Recombinant Human Growth Hormone

Human Growth Hormone (hGH) is a protein hormone secreted from the anterior pituitary gland that stimulates tissue growth and is responsible for linear, skeletal, organ, and cell growth. In addition, hGH has salutary effects on metabolism of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and minerals and stimulates the synthesis of chondroitin sulfate and collagen.

From 1998 through August 2003, Emisphere developed oral recombinant hGH (rhGH) in collaboration with Eli Lilly & Company. As of August 2003, Lilly returned to Emisphere all rights to the oral rhGH program pursuant to the terms of its license agreement. On September 23, 2004, Emisphere announced a new partnership with Novartis to develop its oral rhGH program. Under this collaboration, Emisphere is working with Novartis to initiate clinical trials of a convenient oral human growth hormone produce using the Eligen^® Technology.

On May 1, 2006, Emisphere announced that Novartis would initiate the development of an oral rhGH product using the Company's Eligen^® delivery technology. Under this agreement, Novartis has an exclusive worldwide license to develop, make, have made, use, and sell products developed under this program.