LA JOLLA, Calif., and HAUPPAUGE, N.Y., April 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Agouron
Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (Nasdaq-NNM: AGPH) and Nastech Pharmaceutical Company,
Inc. (Nasdaq: NSTK) today announced they have agreed to develop a nasally
delivered formulation of an Agouron rhinovirus 3C protease (RVP) inhibitor
drug for prevention or treatment of upper respiratory infections (common
cold).
    Agouron scientists have demonstrated that RVP inhibitors can effectively
halt rhinovirus replication in vitro.  The family of rhinoviruses is most
frequently responsible for the common cold.  Nastech will apply its nasal drug
delivery expertise and technology to identify a safe and effective nasal
formulation of one or more of Agouron's anti-rhinovirus compounds.
    "The animal model Nastech is constructing will assist us in measuring the
speed and efficiency of drug penetration into the nasal membranes," said Dr.
Steve Worland, Agouron's Director of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry.  "We
believe transnasal delivery of pharmaceuticals will be an important modality
in drug delivery, and that Nastech will continue to hold a prominent place in
the vanguard of this exciting technology."
    Nastech will receive royalty payments from Agouron's sales of any RVP
inhibitor incorporating Nastech's intranasal technology.
    "Nastech is pleased to be working with Agouron in this effort to develop
an effective treatment for rhinovirus infections," commented Robert H. Rosen,
Executive Vice President of Nastech.  "We are confident in our abilities to
enhance Agouron's drug development and the commercial value of an RVP
inhibitor with our nasal drug delivery technology."
    Rhinovirus infections are a periodic annoyance for most people, but they
produce more severe and prolonged symptoms in people with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD), such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis, which
afflicts an estimated 13.8 million Americans.
    Nastech Pharmaceutical Company is engaged in research, development, and
clinical testing of pharmaceuticals administered through the nasal route, and
is a worldwide leader in development of patented nasal drug delivery
technology.  The company has been issued patents and has patents pending for
the nasal delivery of several drugs, many of which afford a convenient
alternative to the injectable or oral forms of the pharmaceutical product.
    Agouron Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is an integrated pharmaceutical firm
committed to discovery, development, manufacturing and marketing of small
molecule drugs engineered to inactivate proteins which play key roles in
cancer, AIDS, and other serious diseases.

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