NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE American: NNVC), a clinical-stage company focused on antiviral drug development, has announced that its Phase II clinical trial of NV-387 Oral Gummies for the treatment of Ebola is expected to begin soon in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The trial will target the current Bundibugyo Ebolavirus and other Ebola viruses, and the company has received regulatory approval from the local agency ACOREP to proceed.
The company has appointed Professor Patrick Katoto as the principal investigator for the trial. Preparatory activities, including staff training, are already underway, and the NV-387 drug product is available in the DRC. Barring any outbreak-related impediments, the first patient dosing is anticipated within a few weeks.
NV-387 is an orally administered broad-spectrum antiviral designed to mimic host-side features that viruses require for infection. NanoViricides believes that oral delivery could provide significant advantages in resource-limited outbreak settings compared to treatments that require intravenous infusions. This approach may facilitate easier administration and broader access to treatment in regions where healthcare infrastructure is challenged.
Om Sai Clinical Research Private Limited is serving as the contract research organization (CRO) for this trial, as well as for the company's planned Phase II trial of NV-387 Oral Gummies for the treatment of Mpox in the DRC. This dual focus underscores the potential of NV-387 as a versatile antiviral candidate.
The importance of this development lies in the urgent need for effective and practical treatments for Ebola, particularly in the DRC where outbreaks have occurred repeatedly. The oral formulation could reduce the burden on healthcare workers and improve patient compliance, potentially leading to better outcomes in outbreak containment.
NanoViricides is a clinical-stage company that develops nanomedicines for antiviral therapy. The company's lead drug candidate, NV-387, is being developed for multiple viral infections, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viral infections, as well as Mpox, smallpox, and measles. The company's technology is based on intellectual property licensed from TheraCour Pharma, Inc.
The company has a broad pipeline that includes candidates for herpes, viral eye diseases, and other pathogens. However, the path to drug development is lengthy and requires substantial capital, and there is no assurance that any candidate will prove safe and effective in clinical trials.
For more information about NanoViricides, visit the company's newsroom at https://ibn.fm/NNVC.
