NSLIJ Scientists to Present EKC-Cide(TM) Study Results at the GTC-Bio Conference on Ocular Diseases and Drug Discovery
WEST HAVEN, Conn., Apr 21, 2009 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- NanoViricides, Inc. (OTC BB: NNVC.OB) (the "Company"), reports that Dr. Vivien Boniuk, Associate Professor of Ophthalmology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, associated with the North Shore Long Island Jewish Health System (NSLIJ), will be presenting additional results from the animal studies on nanoviricide drug candidates against Epidemic Kerato-Conjunctivitis (EKC). These studies were conducted at the Feinstein Institute for Medical Research of the NSLIJ. Dr. Boniuk will be speaking at the GTC-Bio Conference on Ocular Diseases and Drug Discovery on April 21 in Philadelphia, PA.
Both of the nanoviricide drug candidates evaluated in this pilot study were found to be clinically highly effective against EKC caused by an adenovirus in the rabbit animal model. Both nanoviricides significantly reduced conjunctival injection (severe redness of the eye) as well as blepharitis (exudate, swelling, matting of fur). NanoViricides, Inc. has previously announced the preliminary findings of the study as they were received by the Company.
In addition to the significant positive clinical findings reported earlier, Dr. Boniuk will also report that the best nanoviricide drug candidate showed excellent long term results. There were no SEI's (Sub-Epithelial Infiltrates) in animals treated with this nanoviricide (0% incidence). In contrast, in vehicle-treated animals, 83% incidence of SEI's was found, and a 100% incidence of SEI's occurred in untreated infected animals. SEI's are caused by local T-cell mediated immune response to the adenovirus, leading to hazy spots in the cornea. Occurrence of SEI's in the human eye can lead to decreased visual acuity for as long as two years. In all the treated as well as untreated infected animals, robust antibody response was observed to occur as measured by antibody titers on day 21. Nanoviricide treatment thus led to both clinical resolution and immune protection against adenovirus. As expected, no antibody response occurred in uninfected animals.
Long term reduction of visual acuity (poor vision) in severe cases of EKC in humans is caused by the occurrence of SEI's. Thus, absence of SEI's is an excellent indication of a strong therapeutic effect for EKC-Cide(TM) in human EKC.
"These results confirm that our EKC-Cide is likely the best available drug candidate in development against EKC," said Eugene Seymour, MD, MPH, CEO of the Company, adding, "We are now planning to evaluate its effect against herpes virus infection of the external eye."
Together, herpesviruses and adenoviruses are the principal causes of serious viral diseases of the external eye. At present, there is no satisfactory treatment for adenoviral keratitis/conjunctivitis. The potential domestic market for an effective drug against all viral infections of the external eye is variously estimated to be from $500M to billions of dollars.
In another news, the Company has updated the Product Pipeline page on its website (http://www.nanoviricides.com/pipeline.html). The Company has also added Prof. Thomas Lentz to the Scientific Advisory Board list on its website (http://www.nanoviricides.com/lentz.html). |
