Maker of Vioxx researching new nasal spray for obesity

• Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc. Announces Initiation of Clinical Trial for Investigational PYY3-36 Nasal Spray Under Co-Development and Co-Promotion Alliance with Merck & Co., Inc.
• "This study being conducted by Merck builds upon Nastech's PYY clinical program.
• To date, 63 subjects have received more than 900 doses of intranasal PYY, a synthetic form of the naturally-occurring peptide," said Gordon Brandt, M.D., Executive Vice President, Clinical Research and Medical Affairs of Nastech.
• The investigational PYY3-36 Nasal Spray is designed to deliver the natural, appetite-regulating hormone PYY directly to the bloodstream.
• Nastech has completed three Phase I clinical trials, each designed to answer specific questions regarding tolerability, dosing and scheduling.
• Utilizing its proprietary drug delivery technology, Nastech developed the nasal spray formulation of PYY as a unique, non-invasive treatment option for obesity.
• Obesity is a leading health threat facing Americans and is the second leading cause of preventable death in the United States.
• Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc. is an emerging pharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of innovative products.
• We and our collaboration partners are developing a diverse portfolio of product candidates for multiple therapeutic areas including obesity, osteoporosis, erectile dysfunction, breakthrough cancer pain and multiple sclerosis.
• 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 pre-clinical 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.