NanoViricides says NV-387 shows ‘strong activity’ against Measles virus

NanoViricides (NNVC) announced that its clinical lead drug NV-387 has shown strong activity against the Measles virus in a humanized animal model. The Company announces that NV-387 can now be made available for emergency use application in Measles patients to respond to the spreading Measles outbreaks. Having a drug to treat patients has become of paramount importance, in view of the fact that the USA is about to return to an endemic playground for the Measles virus, with over 1,600 cases as of October 17, breaking a thirty-year-plus-long record this year. “NV-387 can be used right away for emergency use in Measles cases,” said Krishna Menon, Consulting Scientist, adding, “With my extensive experience with non-clinical development of several marketed drugs, I can definitely say that NV-387 has excellent activity and safety in treating Measles virus infection.” Dr. Menon designed and conducted the humanized animal model studies for testing drugs against Measles virus infection. As such, he has hands-on experience with the effects of the drug NV-387. The data has provided compelling evidence that NV-387 is indeed highly effective in protecting the infected from the systemic effects of Measles infection. NV-387 has already completed Phase I clinical trial in healthy subjects with no reported adverse events. The Company has previously reported that in a humanized animal model of lethal Measles infection, NV-387 treatment increased survival of animals to 17 days on average compared to only 7.4 days in untreated animals, an increase of 130%. There were no signs of toxicity from the drug NV-387. Additionally, dose-dependent increase in survival was observed. In contrast, Ribavirin, an unapproved drug that may be used off-label for severe Measles cases as per CDC guidance, is known to be highly toxic. The Company intends to support any Physician’s Investigator Initiated New Drug Application for emergency use of NV-387 for treatment of one or a few cases of Measles, as per FDA regulations.