Global Vaccination Rates Stagnate Amid Growing Threat of Misinformation

Global vaccination coverage has stagnated, with 14.3 million children classified as "zero-dose" in 2024, unchanged from 2022. The number remains higher than pre-pandemic levels. Vaccination rates for diseases such as measles, polio, and tuberculosis have also plateaued. Limited access to vaccines and misinformation are primary reasons for low vaccination coverage.

NanoViricides (NYSE Amer: NNVC) has achieved a significant milestone in its quest to develop a drug treatment for measles. The company's broad-spectrum antiviral candidate, NV-387, demonstrated strong efficacy in a humanized animal model study, increasing survival time by 130% (from 7.4 days to 17 days) compared to untreated animals [1].

NV-387 works by acting as a cell decoy, presenting sulfated proteoglycan features that 90-95% of human pathogenic viruses require for binding. Upon viral attachment, the drug destroys the virus particle before it can infect cells. This innovative approach represents a potential breakthrough in antiviral therapy, as viruses would find it difficult to evade through mutation.

The study utilized specially modified mice bearing the human CD150/SLAM protein, necessary for measles infection. This development is particularly significant given the global rise in measles cases and declining vaccination rates, especially in industrialized nations. While vaccination remains the primary preventive measure, achieving the required 95% population coverage is increasingly challenging due to vaccine hesitancy and immunocompromised individuals who cannot be vaccinated effectively.

NanoViricides' strategy of testing NV-387 against measles was based on its previous success against RSV (respiratory syncytial virus), leveraging the biological similarity between these paramyxoviruses. Both pathogens utilize heparan sulfate proteoglycan for initial cellular attachment, though their infection mechanisms differ significantly thereafter.

NV-387 is already in clinical development for other respiratory viruses including RSV, COVID-19, and influenza, suggesting the company is pursuing a broad-spectrum approach that could address multiple viral threats with a single therapeutic platform.

This potential for multi-virus coverage enhances the drug candidate's overall value proposition in the infectious disease market. However, it is important to note that the path to typical drug development is extremely lengthy and requires substantial capital. Further, there can be no assurance at this time that NV-387 would show sufficient effectiveness and safety for human clinical development.

References:
[1] https://www.stocktitan.net/news/NNVC/measles-now-has-a-drug-nv-387-broad-spectrum-antiviral-successful-in-7q3toqh31pi7.html