Broad-Spectrum Antiviral Effective Against Influenza A

NanoViricides, Inc., a prominent name in the development of antiviral nanomedicines, has announced significant findings regarding its new drug, NV-387. The company, listed on the NYSE American market under the ticker symbol NNVC, revealed that NV-387 demonstrates strong antiviral activity against a range of Influenza A viruses, potentially including the H5N1 bird flu virus.

In a study featuring a lethal animal model of lung infection caused by the Influenza A/H3N2 virus, NV-387's antiviral effects were notably superior compared to three existing anti-influenza medications. Mice infected with the virus were treated with NV-387 or one of the three approved drugs—Oseltamivir (also known as Tamiflu®, by Roche), Peramivir (Rapivab®, by Biocryst), and Baloxivir (Xofluza®, by Shionogi and Roche). The results showed that mice treated with NV-387 orally survived for an average of 15 days. In contrast, those treated with Oseltamivir orally survived for 10 days, those treated with Peramivir intravenously for 11 days, and those treated with Baloxivir orally also for 11 days. The vehicle-treated and untreated animals, on the other hand, only survived for 8 days.

The study's results highlighted that NV-387 provided a significantly greater increase in survival compared to the other tested drugs. This finding underscores NV-387's potential as a more effective treatment for Influenza A infections. Specifically, NV-387 increased survival by 88%, while Oseltamivir, Peramivir, and Baloxivir increased it by 25%, 38%, and 38%, respectively.

The company believes that NV-387's broad-spectrum antiviral activity, demonstrated against diverse virus families, suggests its potential efficacy against a wide range of Influenza A viruses. Structural analysis indicates that the H5 hemagglutinin protein of the H5N1 bird flu virus might be even more vulnerable to NV-387 than the H3 hemagglutinin of the H3N2 virus. This increased susceptibility is attributed to the long polybasic site sequence in H5, which interacts effectively with the sulfated proteoglycan mimetic used in NV-387.

Dr. Anil R. Diwan, President and Executive Chairman of NanoViricides, expressed optimism about NV-387's broad and robust antiviral activity. He noted that the company is nearing the development of a single drug that could potentially treat multiple respiratory viruses, including Coronaviruses, RSV, and Influenza A—a milestone that could revolutionize antiviral therapy.

Unlike the currently approved influenza drugs, which are prone to resistance due to viral mutations, NV-387, by mimicking host cell structures, is less likely to be evaded by viruses. This characteristic is particularly crucial given the rapid mutation and reassortment capabilities of influenza viruses, which can lead to new, potentially more dangerous strains.

The recent spread of H5N1 in various animal populations, including wild birds, poultry, and now dairy cattle, underscores the urgent need for a reliable antiviral treatment. Although H5N1 has so far caused only sporadic zoonotic infections in humans, the risk of the virus mutating to facilitate human-to-human transmission remains a significant public health concern.

NanoViricides is actively advancing NV-387 and other drug candidates using its proprietary nanomedicine technology. The company focuses on developing specialized nanomaterials designed to target and dismantle a variety of enveloped viruses, with ongoing efforts in diseases such as COVID-19, RSV, shingles, and various other viral infections.

In conclusion, NanoViricides' NV-387 shows promise as a powerful new antiviral agent, potentially offering superior effectiveness against influenza viruses and addressing a critical need for more resilient antiviral treatments in the face of rapidly evolving viral threats.