NanoViricides (NYSE-A:NNVC) has successfully wrapped up the first phase of a human clinical trial for its broad-spectrum antiviral drug, NV-CoV-2.
The company said that the drug was well tolerated, with no adverse events reported in any of the three dose levels from the two formulations used in the study, namely NV-CoV-2 Oral Syrup and NV-CoV-2 Oral Gummies.
All 36 healthy volunteers across various cohorts have successfully concluded the study, with follow-up visits for Phase 1a volunteers also completed.
The study is run in collaboration with its Indian drug sponsor, Karveer Meditech Pvt. Ltd.
NanoViricides (NYSE-A:NNVC) also reported the successful recruitment of the remaining 10 healthy volunteers into the multiple-ascending dose part of the Phase 1b study, reaching the targeted 36 volunteers recruitment goal.
NV-CoV-2, the antiviral drug developed by NanoViricides (NYSE-A:NNVC), contains the nanoviricide active agent NV-387. NV-387 has demonstrated robust broad-spectrum antiviral activity against various coronaviruses, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and Smallpox.
Notably, NV-387 was found to be as effective as ribavirin, a last-resort drug, against RSV infection in a lethal lung infection animal model.
NanoViricides designed NV-387 with a novel antiviral mechanism termed 'Re-Infection Blocker'. Acting like a cell surface, the nanomicelle displays numerous binding sites, trapping and destroying virus particles, rendering them unable to infect other cells.
NanoViricides believes that the safety and distinctive mechanism of NV-387 make it suitable for all patient populations, addressing the unmet medical need for a broad-spectrum antiviral drug.
"The excellent safety of NV-CoV-2 formulations is expected to enable use of the drug across all patient populations, from young children, otherwise healthy persons, to immune-compromised persons, persons with advanced age with or without co-morbidities," said Anil Diwan, president of NanoViricides, said in a statement.
The market for RSV therapeutics is projected to reach $8.73 billion by 2031, according to GrowthPlus Reports.
The company plans to advance NV-387 for the treatment of several different viruses that this drug has shown strong activity against.