NanoViricides Advances Phase II Trials for NV-387 Against Ebola

NanoViricides, Inc., based in Shelton, CT, is progressing its antiviral drug NV-387 towards Phase II clinical trials as a treatment for the Bundibugyo Ebolavirus outbreak in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The company has received approval from the Pillar Committee in charge in the DRC and has assembled a team with a renowned Principal Investigator for the trial execution.

The current outbreak, with 1,561 confirmed cases and 506 deaths as of July 6, has no approved treatment. NV-387 is uniquely positioned as it is orally active, an advantage in resource-limited settings. It functions as a broad-spectrum antiviral, exploiting host-cell features that viruses need, potentially minimizing virus mutation escape risks.

Other approaches, such as monoclonal antibodies, face limitations due to viral escape possibilities. If NV-387 is effective against the Bundibugyo virus, it could impact treatment strategies against various ebolaviruses.