Peptides And Pegylated Peptides As Intranasal Permeation Enhancers: Comparison To Small Molecule Excipients

In vitro and in vivo results demonstrating the use of peptide-based
agents to enhance intranasal drug delivery of large molecules were
presented.


Formulations tested were comprised of a therapeutic
peptide and one of the following: a single permeation enhancing
peptide; a single permeation enhancing pegylated peptide; or a
combination of small molecule excipients optimized to enhance drug
permeation.


The results showed that after intranasal administration
the formulations containing a single peptide or pegylated peptide
permeation enhancer produced similar or better bioavailability of the
therapeutic peptide in the bloodstream when compared to the
formulations using multiple small molecule excipients that have
previously demonstrated enhanced bioavailability in the clinic.


The abstract is available at nastech.


Additionally, Paul Johnson, Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of
Nastech, participated in the AAPS Symposium, "Running Interference:
RNAi Therapeutics Enter the Clinic," discussing the challenges of
developing siRNA therapeutics to treat pandemic
influenza.


"We are pleased to share Nastech's research in discovering novel ways
to enhance intranasal drug delivery of peptides and proteins with the
outstanding group of scientists that gather annually at the
prestigious AAPS Biotechnology Conference," stated Paul Johnson,
Ph.D., Chief Scientific Officer of Nastech. "Additionally, Nastech's
participation in the symposium on siRNA therapeutics provided an
opportunity to discuss the exciting opportunities and challenges in
developing this new class of therapeutics with others in the
field."


About Nastech


Nastech is a pharmaceutical company developing innovative products
based on proprietary molecular biology-based drug delivery
technologies. Nastech and its collaboration partners are developing
products for multiple therapeutic areas including diabetes,
respiratory disease, inflammatory conditions, obesity and
osteoporosis. Additional information about Nastech is available at
nastech.


Nastech Forward Looking Statements


Statements made in this press release may be forward-looking
statements within the meaning of Federal Securities laws that are
subject to certain risks and uncertainties and involve factors that
may cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or
suggested. Factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from those in forward-looking statements include, but are
not limited to: (i) the ability of Nastech to obtain additional
funding; (ii) the ability of Nastech to attract and/or maintain
manufacturing, research, development and commercialization partners;
(iii) Nastech's and/or a partner's ability to successfully complete
product research and development, including preclinical and clinical
studies and commercialization; (iv) Nastech's and/or a partner's
ability to obtain required governmental approvals; and (v) Nastech's
and/or a partner's ability to develop and commercialize products that
can compete favorably with those of competitors. Additional factors
that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
projected or suggested in any forward-looking statements are
contained in Nastech's most recent periodic reports on Form 10-K and
Form 10-Q that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Nastech assumes no obligation to update and supplement forward-
looking statements because of subsequent events.


nastech