In 2014, the largest Ebola epidemic in history struck
countries in West Africa, catching the attention of media outlets around the
world and reaffirming the destructive power that viruses can have on unprepared
civilizations. Viruses come in many shapes and sizes. From relatively inert
bugs such as the common cold to dangerous, life-threatening infections like human
immunodeficiency virus (HIV), influenza and dengue fever, viruses are found in
almost every ecosystem on Earth, making them the most abundant type of
biological entity on the planet.
Unlike bacteria, which are mostly harmless and often aid in
the function of the human body, viruses are almost always bad news. These tiny
organisms attach themselves to healthy cells within the body and, in many
cases, reprogram those cells to create new viruses until the cells eventually
burst and die. In other cases, viruses transform normal, healthy cells into
malignant or cancerous cells. Although viruses are small (the largest virus is
still smaller than even the smallest of bacteria), they are vicious. Most
viruses target specific cells within the body, such as those in the liver,
respiratory system or blood, causing serious, long-term health risks for
infected individuals.
Because viruses hijack native cells and reprogram them in
order to spread, effectively targeting a virus without harming its host
organism’s cells is particularly difficult. When combined with viruses’ ability
to mutate in order to counter attempts to inhibit their development, creating a
universally effective antiviral medication becomes nearly impossible. Instead,
pharmaceutical companies dodge mutations by taking preemptive measures. By
administering small, relatively safe doses of viruses to patients, patients’
immune systems can be educated regarding particular viral infections, making
future infections much less likely. These doses are known as vaccines.
Vaccines, much like viruses, come in a variety of shapes and
sizes, and the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies are continuing to
develop and innovative this preemptive treatment option in an effort to keep up
with major viral threats. Vaccines are often extremely effective. Measles, for
example, is one of the leading causes of death among young children, according
to the World Health Organization, but a single dose of the MMR (measles, mumps
and rubella) vaccine, which was developed in 1971 by Merck (NYSE: MRK), is 93
percent effective at preventing the deadly virus, according to the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
Not all vaccines are as consistently effective as the MMR
vaccine, however. Influenza vaccines, such as those regularly developed by
Sanofi (NYSE: SNY) and GlaxoSmithKline (NYSE: GSK), demonstrate the limitations
of preemptive virus treatment. Because the influenza virus mutates very
rapidly, flu shots are developed twice each year, but outbreaks of mutated
strains still occur from time to time. To illustrate this, consider the 2009
flu pandemic, which involved the deadly H1N1 influenza virus, commonly known as
swine flu. After patients are infected with an unforeseen virus mutation,
vaccines are rendered totally ineffective, leaving biopharmaceutical companies
to turn to alternative approaches to address these dangerous illnesses.
NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE MKT: NNVC) is a
nano-biopharmaceutical company that’s attempting to usher in a whole new era in
medicine. The company’s innovative nanoviricide® antiviral therapeutics are
nanomachines that are armed to destroy a particular type of virus. By
programming information about a specific virus into the nanoviricide – similar
to the postal address on an envelope – the company’s treatment fools a virus
that’s already in a person into attaching to it. Shortly after attachment, the
nanoviricide encapsulates the virus particle and absorbs its coat proteins.
Without those proteins, the virus is unable to bind to a cell, rendering it
neutralized and effectively destroyed.
Utilizing its versatile platform technology, NanoViricides
is currently developing drugs against a number of viral diseases – including
H5N1 bird flu, seasonal influenza, HIV, epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC),
hepatitis C, rabies, dengue fever and Ebola virus, among others. The company’s
broad-spectrum nanoviricides, which it’s developing to combat several neglected
tropical diseases, can bind to as many as 95 percent of known viruses,
according to company data. NanoViricides’s most advanced product candidate,
injectable FluCide™, is currently being studied in IND-enabling trials for the
treatment of severe influenza with hospitalization.
In a quarterly report filed earlier this year, NanoViricides
outlined its considerable progress in recent months. In particular, the company
highlighted the advancement of its HerpeCide™ program, which it expects to
contribute to the ongoing development of topical drugs to control herpes virus
outbreaks for a number of indications – including oral lesions and shingles. Assuming
positive results from its animal studies, NanoViricides expects these programs
to result in extremely effective drugs.
According to its latest financial report, NanoViricides
estimates that it has enough cash on hand to perform initial human clinical
trials on at least one of its promising drug candidates, as well as advancing
at least one additional candidate toward initial clinical trials. With
HerpeCide and injectable FluCide currently leading the way, the company is in a
favorable strategic position to put its promising therapeutic candidates to the
test in the coming months, ahead of potential commercialization. For
prospective shareholders, NanoViricides, complete with its innovative approach
to targeted antiviral therapeutics, represents an extremely intriguing
investment opportunity in the rapidly evolving biopharmaceutical industry.
For more information, visit www.nanoviricides.com
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MissionIR is committed to connecting the investment community with companies that have great potential and a strong dedication to building shareholder value. We know our reputation is based on the integrity of our clients and go to great lengths to ensure the companies represented adhere to sound business practices.
Sign up for “The Mission Report” at www.MissionIR.com
Please see disclaimer on the MissionIR website http://www.missionir.com/disclaimer.html
