NanoViricides Reports Promising Preclinical Study Results for Antiviral Candidate NV-387 in Treating Measles Virus Infection

NanoViricides reported that its antiviral candidate, NV-387, increased survival in mice infected with a lethal dose of the measles virus by 130%, extending average survival time to 17 days. No signs of toxicity were observed and a dose-dependent increase in survival was noted. The company believes NV-387 could be the first drug to treat measles, which has seen a significant rise in cases globally due to declining vaccination rates.

NanoViricides Inc. (NYSE Amer.: NNVC), a clinical-stage biopharmaceutical company specializing in broad-spectrum antivirals, has reported significant progress in its development of NV-387, a potential treatment for measles. The company announced that NV-387 increased the survival time of mice infected with a lethal dose of the measles virus by 130%, extending the average survival time from 7.4 days to 17 days. No signs of toxicity were observed, and the drug demonstrated dose-dependent effectiveness [1].

NV-387 functions 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, representing an innovative approach to antiviral therapy that viruses would find difficult to evade through mutation [1].

The development of NV-387 is particularly significant given the resurgence of measles cases globally, driven by 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 [1].

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 [1].

The company is now focused on advancing NV-387 into Phase II human clinical trials. NanoViricides' platform technology and programs are based on the TheraCour® nanomedicine technology, which the company licenses from AllExcel. The company's lead drug candidate is NV-387, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that the company plans to develop as a treatment for RSV, COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viral infections, as well as MPOX/Smallpox infections [1].

References:

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