NanoViricides (NYSE-A:NNVC) CEO Dr Anil Diwan joined Proactive to highlight the company’s lead drug candidate NV-387, which is targeting multiple viral families by mimicking receptors essential for viral infections.
He highlighted that NV-387 has shown exceptional efficacy in preclinical studies, including curing RSV infections in animal models.
Proactive: Welcome back inside our Proactive newsroom. Joining me now is Dr. Anil Diwan, the CEO of NanoViricides (NYSE-A:NNVC). Dr Diwan, welcome back. Good to see you again.
Dr Anil Diwan: Good to see you again too. How are you?
I’m doing well. I was interested in reading some news about the outbreak of something called HMP. I’d like you to explain what it is and how it relates to the work you’re doing with NV-387 and your platform.
HMP is a respiratory virus that affects children and older people more severely. It belongs to the same family as the RSV (respiratory syncytial virus). We’ve conducted extensive animal studies on RSV, and NV-387 cured infections in these studies. There’s currently no treatment for children affected by RSV, and HMP operates similarly, using the same receptor called heparin sulfate to infect cells. That’s what NV-387 targets.
That broad applicability seems crucial, especially considering how unexpected viral outbreaks can be. How does your platform address this challenge?
That’s correct. Our platform exploits the Achilles’ heel of viruses. Many viruses use common receptors to infect cells, and we can develop drugs to block those interactions. These drugs can be stockpiled and deployed against new viruses as they emerge. This ability to respond quickly is a major advantage.
You mentioned studies. Tell us more about the clinical trials for NV-387.
We’re planning an innovative trial for Severe Acute Respiratory Infections (SARIs) caused by multiple viruses. The trial will treat patients first, then identify the virus affecting them to evaluate the drug’s efficacy. This approach was inspired by discussions during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in regions without extensive diagnostic infrastructure.
Is the goal to use the platform to address viruses not yet seen in the world?
Yes, exactly. Our approach involves developing a suite of broad-spectrum antivirals that could be ready to combat a range of viruses before they become pandemics. I’ve proposed a white paper on pandemic preparedness to encourage investment in such proactive solutions.
You’re also focusing on the Mpox outbreak. What’s the update there?
Mpox is still localized in Africa, but it remains a significant threat. Current treatments in the US stockpile failed in efficacy trials. Our approach uses a different mechanism, and early results have been very promising. We believe it can provide better outcomes even as the virus mutates.
Quotes have been lightly edited for clarity and style