Alberta Doctors Warn of Measles Epidemic Ahead of School Year

Alberta doctors warn of a "perfect storm" as measles outbreaks surge ahead of the September school start. They urge parents to vaccinate their children immediately and call for expanded access to an early vaccine dose for babies and proof of immunization in schools. The province has reported 1,472 measles cases since March, with no signs of slowing down. The doctors warn that measles can lead to serious complications, including pneumonia, brain damage, and death.

Alberta doctors have issued a stark warning, describing the current measles outbreak as a "perfect storm" ahead of the September school start. The province has reported a significant increase in measles cases, with 1,472 cases since March, and no signs of abating. The medical community is urging parents to vaccinate their children immediately and advocating for expanded access to early vaccine doses for babies and proof of immunization in schools. The doctors emphasize the seriousness of measles, which can lead to severe complications such as pneumonia, brain damage, and even death.

In response to this growing health crisis, NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE Amer: NNVC) has achieved a significant milestone in its research. The company has developed NV-387, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug candidate, which has shown strong efficacy against measles in a humanized animal model study [1]. NV-387 increased survival time by 130% (from 7.4 days to 17 days) in treated animals compared to controls, with no observable toxicity and dose-dependent effectiveness. This breakthrough is particularly significant as measles currently has no approved drug treatment.

The technology behind NV-387 is innovative and effective. It functions as a cellular decoy, presenting the 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 mechanism represents an innovative approach to antiviral therapy that viruses would find difficult to evade through mutation.

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. The company is currently focused on advancing NV-387 into Phase II human clinical trials.

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