Merrion Pharmaceuticals : Receives Milestone Payment Following Successful Completion of a Phase I Study of Novo Nordisk A/S Oral GLP-1 Analogue (NN9928) Using Merrion Pharmaceuticals' GIPET Technology

04 September 2014

Merrion Pharmaceuticals plc Receives Milestone Payment Following
Successful Completion of a Phase I Study of Novo Nordisk A/S Oral GLP-1
Analogue (NN9928) Using Merrion Pharmaceuticals' GIPET Technology

Dublin, Ireland - 4th September, 2014: Merrion Pharmaceuticals plc (ESM:MERR), today announces that it has received a milestone payment from its partner, Novo Nordisk, following successful completion of a Phase 1 clinical trial with an oral formulation of a Novo Nordisk proprietary GLP-1 analogue. This class of compound stimulates the release of insulin in appropriate diabetic subjects, and is currently administered by injection. Merrion Pharmaceuticals' proprietary GIPET technology was incorporated in the formulation in order to enhance the oral bioavailability of the drug.

The aim of the trial was to investigate the safety, tolerance and pharmacokinetics (exposure of drug), of the GLP-1 analogue NN9928.

Under the terms of the 2009 license agreement, Merrion Pharmaceuticals receives payments on the achievement of certain development, regulatory and sales milestones, as well as royalties on sales.

Merrion Pharmaceuticals' Chief Executive, Dr. John Fox said: "Our partnership with Novo Nordisk is part of the research undertaken globally into improving the treatment of diabetes, which the World Health Organisation calculates affects 171 million people worldwide, a number estimated to more than double by 2030. We are very pleased with this outcome and that Merrion Pharmaceuticals' technology continues to support the commitment of Novo Nordisk to the development of an oral route of administration for those in need of this class of therapy."

About Merrion Pharmaceuticals plc

Merrion Pharmaceuticals plc (www.merrionpharma.com) is a publicly listed (ESM:MERR) pharmaceutical  company focused on delivering innovation to the market by partnering with complementary companies to develop patented products. Established in 2003, Merrion Pharmaceuticals is primarily engaged in facilitating the development of oral forms (tablets/capsules) of drugs that have suboptimal absorption, many of which can only be given by injection, through the use of Merrion Pharmaceutical's proprietary drug delivery technology platform.

For reference:

Investor Enquiries: Merrion Pharmaceuticals Plc. John Fox T [phone] www.merrionpharma.com	Media Enquiries: Dempsey Corporate Conor Dempsey T [phone] Email:[e-mail]
Davy Corporate Finance Ivan Murphy/Anthony Farrell T [phone]