NanoViricides (NYSE-A:NNVC) said on Monday that its broad-spectrum antiviral candidate, NV-387, showed strong effectiveness in preclinical studies using a humanized animal model.
The Connecticut-based biotech firm reported increased survival in mice infected with a lethal dose of the measles virus by 130%, extending average survival time to 17 days compared to 7.4 days in untreated animals.
The company said no signs of toxicity were observed and a dose-dependent increase in survival was noted.
“NV-387 is on its way to become the very first drug to treat measles,” said Anil Diwan, president and executive chairman of NanoViricides. “Measles cases are skyrocketing globally, and the world needs a drug.”
NV-387 is designed to mimic features of human cells that viruses typically bind to, acting as a decoy to lure and then destroy the virus. The drug targets sulfated proteoglycans, structures used by more than 90% of human pathogenic viruses for cell attachment, the company said.
The preclinical study used genetically engineered mice bearing human CD150/SLAM protein, which is required for measles virus entry into cells. Because the virus does not naturally infect mice, the humanized model was necessary for testing.
NanoViricides’ researchers initially hypothesized that NV-387 could combat measles based on previous success treating respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which, like measles, belongs to the paramyxovirus family and uses similar cellular attachment mechanisms. Despite differences in how the viruses infect cells, the study confirmed the drug’s potential against measles.
The company said the development is especially critical amid declining vaccination rates globally, which it attributed to vaccine hesitancy, immunological deficiencies, and chronic disease. At least 95% vaccination coverage is required to prevent outbreaks, but even vaccinated individuals can contract the disease, NanoViricides noted.