NEWS --- NanoViricides Reports that the Dramatic Effects of Its Topical Anti-Herpes Treatment were Reproduced Once Again in an Animal Model in a Different Laboratory
SHELTON, CONNECTICUT -- Monday, August 10, 2015 -- NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE MKT: NNVC) (the "Company") a nanomedicine company developing anti-viral drugs, reports that the dramatic improvements in clinical symptoms associated with herpes simplex virus infection were reproduced in an animal model in a different laboratory. These studies were performed by TransPharm Preclinical Solutions ("TransPharm"), a pre-clinical services company in Jackson, MI.
All of the nanoviricides® tested improved clinical scores dramatically, with clinical presentation being arrested at redness or simply raised local lesions, and a complete absence of zosteriform spreading. All of the nanoviricides treated animals survived the lethal HSV-1 infection challenge for the duration of the study while untreated animals died towards the end of the study. These nanoviricides are designed as topical treatment for the breakout of herpes sores.
Some of the nanoviricides found effective in the previous study were tested in this study for the confirmation of efficacy in a dermal animal model in Balb-c mice using the same highly aggressive and neurotropic HSV-1 strain H129c, which was used previously.
The earlier studies were performed in the laboratory of Dr. Ken S. Rosenthal at Northeast Ohio Medical University where Dr. Rosenthal continued as a Professor Emeritus. He is a leading researcher in herpes virus anti-viral agents and vaccines.
In the previous study, two of the anti-Herpes nanoviricides® reduced the extent of disease (morbidity) and mortality of the HSV-1 infected animals that were treated. These nanoviricides also reduced virus production in cell culture. Importantly, topical dermal treatment with these nanoviricides led to almost complete (>85%) survival of the infected mice in this animal model whereas all untreated animals died of the disease. Further, these nanoviricides were superior to topical treatment with an acyclovir formulation employed as a positive control. The Company reported on these studies in April, 2015.
Professor Rosenthal consulted with NanoViricides and TransPharm for the establishment of the animal model for dermal HSV-1 infection using the HSV-1 strain H129c at the TransPharm laboratories.
Existing therapies against HSV include acyclovir and drugs chemically related to it. These drugs must be taken orally or by injection and are not very effective as topical agents. Other drugs are largely ineffective. Currently, there is no cure for any of the herpesvirus infections.
About Dr. Rosenthal
Dr. Rosenthal is now Professor at the Roseman University of Health Sciences College of Medicine, NV. He continues as Professor Emeritus at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED), after retiring in December 2014. He is a leading researcher in the field of herpes viruses, antiviral drugs and vaccines. His research interests encompass several aspects of how herpes simplex virus (HSV) interacts with the host to cause disease. His research has addressed how HSV infects skin cells and examined viral properties that facilitate its virulence and ability to cause encephalitis. He is also researching how the human host immune response works against HSV for the development of protective and therapeutic vaccines.
About TransPharm
Transpharm Preclinical Solutions offer numerous types of studies for testing antimicrobials, antivirals, antifungals, antiparasitics, along with newer therapies using antibodies. TransPharm's scientists' skill set covers a broad range of Research and Development. This allows us to offer numerous services upon request. We have many strategic alliances along the Biotechnology Corridor which allows us to offer a wide variety of services.
About NanoViricides
NanoViricides, Inc. (www.nanoviricides.com) is a development stage company that is creating special purpose nanomaterials for antiviral therapy. The Company's novel nanoviricide® class of drug candidates are designed to specifically attack enveloped virus particles and to dismantle them. The Company is developing drugs against a number of viral diseases including H1N1 swine flu, H5N1 bird flu, seasonal Influenza, HIV, oral and genital Herpes, viral diseases of the eye including EKC and herpes keratitis, Hepatitis C, Rabies, Dengue fever, and Ebola virus, among others. This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. Actual events could differ materially and substantially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors. Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by NanoViricides, Inc. are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, they may include the following: demonstration and proof of principle in preclinical trials that a nanoviricide is safe and effective; successful development of our product candidates; our ability to seek and obtain regulatory approvals, including with respect to the indications we are seeking; the successful commercialization of our product candidates; and market acceptance of our products.
FDA refers to US Food and Drug Administration. EMA refers to the European Union’s office of European Medical Agency.
Contact:
NanoViricides, Inc.
Amanda Schuon, 310-550-7200
info@nanoviricides.com
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