Nastech Pharmaceutical Company Inc. filed an Investigational New Drug (IND) application to the U.S. FDA for the PYY3-36 (PYY) nasal spray against obesity, and upon approval, hopes to then initiate human clinical trials.

How does PYY work?

Peptide YY is a naturally occurring hormone that is believed to function as a physiologic inhibitor of food intake. PYY is produced by specialized endocrine cells (L-cells) in the gut after a person eats and is believed to trigger the feeling of satiety, or fullness. Because PYY is a protein, initial studies focused on PYY delivery by injection. Utilizing its proprietary drug delivery technology, Nastech developed the nasal spray formulation of PYY as a unique, non-invasive treatment option for obesity.

This investigational drug is currently available for partnering (Merck bowed out early this year). For the development of another nasal spray, this time an intranasal parathyroid hormone for the treatment of osteoporosis, Nastech just received a $7 milion milestone payment from collaborator Procter & Gamble.