Nasal delivery of the acetylcholine esterase inhibitor AChE-I appeared to be superior to oral administration in pre-clinical trials and may eliminate side effects, according to data released by the drug's manufacturer.

Although they do not provide a cure, four acetylocholine esterase inhibitors, Aricept, Exelon, Reminyl and Cognex, currently are approved by the Food and Drug Administration, and have been shown to improve cognition and manage symptoms of Alzheimer's.

Dr. Steven C. Quay, CEO of Nastech Pharmaceutical Company, said in pre-clinical trials, nasal delivery of the therapy, known as NP-7557 produced concentrations of the drug that were seven times higher at 30 minutes, and 2.5 times higher at 60 minutes, than oral AchE-1.

Moreover, the direct-to-brain delivery may enhance the treatment benefits by reducing or eliminating cholinergic side effects in the gastrointestinal tract and preventing metabolism of the drug in the liver.

"Medical science acknowledges that Alzheimer's disease may result from a variety of physiological factors, and new treatment approaches must be equally complex in battling the disease," Quay said.

"We believe our work involving intranasal NP-557 lays a solid foundation for more focused treatment of this devastating disease."

Human studies of the nasal delivery NP-7557 are expected to begin in 2003.

Other Sources: Nastech