NanoViricides touts antiviral NV-387 as tool against new COVID variant

NanoViricides (NYSE-A:NNVC) said its experimental antiviral drug NV-387 could play a role in combating emerging threats from COVID-19 and bird flu, as new virus variants raise global health concerns.

The company pointed to the rise of the COVID variant NB.1.8.1, or "Nimbus," which is spreading in the US and globally.

Known for causing a severe sore throat and greater antibody resistance, Nimbus is part of the Omicron JN.1 sublineage and may be more transmissible than earlier strains, according to the CDC and WHO.

At the same time, new strains of H5N1 bird flu are causing concern. A US case linked to dairy cattle was shown to be airborne in animal models, and more virulent forms have led to fatalities in Cambodia and North America.

NanoViricides says NV-387 is designed to remain effective even as viruses mutate, by targeting invariant mechanisms viruses use to infect cells. The orally available drug outperformed approved treatments like Tamiflu and remdesivir in preclinical studies of influenza and coronavirus infections, and has completed Phase I human trials without reported adverse events.

“NV-387 is the best current choice for a cost-effective pandemic preparedness solution,” said Dr Anil Diwan, president and executive chairman. The company added that the drug can be manufactured in the US and stored at room temperature, allowing for rapid deployment in a health crisis.

Unlike vaccines, which often lose effectiveness as viruses evolve, NV-387 targets features unlikely to change and could provide a complementary approach to pandemic response.

NanoViricides said it is ready to advance NV-387 to Phase II trials if the need arises.