NanoViricides Inc. (NNVC)

[Ubertino]

Doc - what do you think of this - a sialic acid using antiflu proposal of NexBio - a sialic attachment BLOCKER:

FLUDASE®
Fludase®* (DAS181) is a broad-spectrum drug candidate under study for the potential prophylaxis and treatment of respiratory infections caused by all types of influenza virus, including the Pandemic Influenza A(H1N1) that recently caused a worldwide influenza pandemic, as well as all types of parainfluenza virus. Fludase is currently undergoing a Phase II clinical trial in the U.S. for the treatment of community acquired influenza (click here for detailed information on this trial), as well as a Phase I trial in subjects with airway disease being conducted at the NIH Clinical Center (click here for detailed information on this trial).

MECHANISM OF ACTION: FLUDASE® BLOCKS IFV ENTRY INTO CELLS
Fludase is a recombinant fusion protein (see Figure 1) that inactivates viral receptors on the cells of the human respiratory tract, thereby preventing influenza and other viruses such as parainfluenza from both infecting the human body and amplifying in already-infected individuals.

Sialic acids on the surface of cells lining the human respiratory tract act as the host cell receptors for all influenza and parainfluenza viruses. Fludase works by inactivating these sialic acid receptors on the airway epithelium, therefore preventing viral entry into cells.

Because these viruses primarily invade and replicate in cells of the upper and central respiratory tract, Fludase is administered through oral inhalation to these locations. The fusion protein consists of two parts: a sialidase plus a cell-surface anchoring domain. The anchor is designed to attach to the respiratory epithelium and thereby increase retention time and drug potency. Fludase is delivered by a simple generic device called “Cyclohaler.”

http://www.nexbio.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=67:solutions-fludase&catid=34:static-content&Itemid=61

NNVC attracts the virus using sialic acid as an ATTRACTANT while NexBio BLOCKS the sialic acid connection. Not identical, I know, but somewhat similar. I assume (!!) that this approach works for ALL viruses (any, at any rate, that use sialic acid attachment points) - one drug - BWDIK!

Another somewhat strange development involving NexBio:

NexBio Reports Positive Data from Test of Biologic Flu Drug
publication date: Aug 30, 2011
NexBio, a San Diego biotech startup, has released positive data from a Phase II trial of a novel biologic that aims to both treat and prevent infection by all flu strains. The drug works by inhibiting entry of the virus into cells. NexBio was formed by a China husband-wife team who did their early academic work in China, and then moved to the US to earn biology PhDs. NexBio has been in the news recently because the FBI conducted a very public raid on the company’s offices, though neither the FBI nor the company has explained the object of the raid.

http://www.chinabiotoday.com/articles/20110830