SHELTON, Conn., April 20, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- NanoViricides,
Inc., (NYSE MKT: NNVC) (the "Company"), a nanomedicine company
developing anti-viral drugs, reports dramatic improvement in
clinical symptoms associated with herpes simplex virus infection in
the recently completed studies in mice. The studies were performed
in the laboratory of Dr. Ken S.
Rosenthal at Northeast Ohio Medical University where Dr.
Rosenthal is now Professor Emeritus. He is a leading
researcher in herpes virus anti-viral agents and vaccines.
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.
"Our broad-spectrum anti-herpes drug development program is now
producing dramatic results in animal models," said Dr. Eugene Seymour, MD, MPH, CEO of the Company,
adding, "Our drug candidates had previously exhibited greater than
99.9% viral load reduction in cell cultures. With the marked
success in animal effectiveness, we believe that we will be able to
declare a drug candidate against herpes viruses after certain
additional testing."
The market size for herpes simplex virus treatments is in excess
of $2 billion annually. The Company
believes that a drug that is superior to existing therapies could
result in significantly expanded market size.
The nanoviricides appeared to block the progression of the virus
infection as observed by a reduction in the progression of the
spreading of lesions.
Dr. Rosenthal suggested that "A delay in initiation of disease
signs and the survival of the mice indicate a reduction of 90% or
more in the production of virus possibly during the initial period
of replication."
The nanoviricides prevented the development of scabbing of the
herpes virus infected lesions in the animal model. For
untreated and sham treated animals, the HSV infection progressed
from initial redness at the site of infection to lesions that
progressed on the skin along the nerve and internally to ultimately
kill the mouse. Topical dermal treatment with these two
nanoviricide formulations significantly delayed the onset of the
clinical symptoms, prevented the progression of the lesions and
produced survival of almost all of the mice (>85%).
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 herpes infection.
About Dr. Rosenthal
Dr. Rosenthal is Professor
Emeritus at Northeast Ohio Medical University (NEOMED). 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 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 pre-clinical 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.
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SOURCE NanoViricides, Inc.