NanoViricides' Anti-EKC Drug Candidate To Be Studied In Japan

Main Category: Eye Health / Blindness
Article Date: 03 Jul 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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NanoViricides, Inc. (OTC BB: NNVC.OB) (the "Company"), said that an internationally renowned Japanese ophthalmologist and corneal researcher, Kazuo Tsubota, MD, PhD, has agreed to perform confirmatory animal efficacy studies of the nanoviricide anti-EKC drug candidate, EKC-Cide™, against EKC (epidemic kerato-conjunctivitis) in Japan. Dr. Tsubota is currently Professor and Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine in Tokyo, Japan.

"NanoViricides' study of clinical efficacy of EkcCide, is very significant. Their study conclusively demonstrated clearance of the severe pink eye symptoms," said Dr. Tsubota, after a discussion with the Company scientists in a meeting in Boston last week. He commented, "EKC and herpes virus infections of the eye are important medical problems in Japan, and Japanese pharmaceutical companies have a strong interest in potential treatments," He continued by saying, "I am very pleased to have the opportunity to confirm the studies in Japan. This is the first step towards obtaining Japanese regulatory approval."

EKC is a severe and contagious viral infection of the eye in humans which can lead to severe visual impairment. Viral EKC is primarily caused by adenoviruses, although some other viruses may also be the causative agent in humans. There is no currently available treatment for viral EKC.

The Company has previously reported that EkcCide was shown to cause rapid and clear clinical recovery of infected animal eyes in a study conducted by a renowned US ophthalmologic Institute. The infection in this study was caused by adenovirus 5, supplied by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Representative photographs are posted on the Company's website.

The Company anticipates that the eye-drop formulation of the broad-spectrum nanoviricide drug candidate which was successful against adenoviral EKC may have significant potential against other viral EKC and the less severe viral conjunctivitis diseases as well. Common viral conjunctivitis is highly contagious and occurs primarily in schools and other crowded settings, as well as in immuno-compromised populations. While the Company currently has no approved product for the treatment of EKC and viral conjunctivitis, the treatment and prophylaxis market for EKC and other viral causes of conjunctivitis is expected to be in the order of several billion dollars annually.

About Kazuo Tsubota, MD, PhD

An internationally recognized eye specialist, Professor Tsubota is Chairman of the Department of Ophthalmology at Keio University School of Medicine, his alma mater, where he received his MD in 1980. He was the first Japanese recipient of the American Academy of Ophthalmology Honor Award in 1994. He is Chief Surgeon at the Minamiaoyama Eye Clinic in Tokyo, Japan. He heads a large dry eye research group and also the largest refractive (eye) group in Japan, which has several clinics throughout the country. He is author of more than 350 scientific peer reviewed articles. He is an editor of several specialty books in ophthalmology.

About NanoViricides

NanoViricides, Inc. is a development stage company that is creating special purpose nanomaterials for viral therapy. The Company's novel nanoviricide™ class of drug candidates are designed to specifically attack enveloped virus particles and to dismantle them. The Company is developing drugs against a number of viral diseases including H5N1 bird flu, seasonal influenza, HIV, EKC, hepatitis C, rabies, dengue fever, and Ebola virus, among others.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events could differ materially and substantially from those projected herein and depend on a number of factors. Certain statements in this release, and other written or oral statements made by NanoViricides, Inc. are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements of the company to be different from those expressed or implied including the success of the Company's research and development efforts, the availability of adequate financing, the successful and timely completion of clinical studies and the uncertainties related to the regulatory process, described in the "Management's Discussion and Analysis" section of the Company's Form 10-KSB and other reports and filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

NanoViricides