Merrion Pharmaceuticals plc (ESM: MERR) announced that its partner, Novo Nordisk, successfully completed a single dose Phase I trial with a novel oral insulin (NN1954). Merrion Pharmaceuticals GIPET Technology was used in the formulation of NN1954. The aim of this randomised, double-blind placebo and active controlled single ascending dose trial was to investigate the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (exposure of drug) and pharmacodynamics (effect on blood glucose levels) of NN1954.

Under the terms of the license agreement entered into with Novo Nordisk in 2008 Merrion, receives payments on achievement of certain development, regulatory and sales milestones as well as royalties on sales.