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With Rising Variants of COVID and Bird Flu, the Single Broad-Spectrum Antiviral NV-387 Would be the Best Partner for Preparedness, Says NanoViricides' Dr. Diwan

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NanoViricides (NYSE: NNVC) announces that its broad-spectrum antiviral drug NV-387 could be crucial for pandemic preparedness amid rising COVID and bird flu variants. The drug has shown superior effectiveness against both COVID-19 and influenza compared to existing treatments like Remdesivir and Tamiflu. NV-387 has completed Phase I trials with no adverse events and is formulated as oral gummies. The drug targets invariant viral features, making it difficult for viruses to develop resistance. The company highlights NV-387's advantages including US-based manufacturing capabilities, room temperature storage, and potential rapid deployment for pandemic response. The drug's development comes as new COVID variant Nimbus (NB1.8.1) emerges with increased transmission and vaccine resistance, while H5N1 bird flu cases show concerning developments in Michigan and Cambodia.
NanoViricides (NYSE: NNVC) annuncia che il suo farmaco antivirale ad ampio spettro NV-387 potrebbe essere fondamentale per la preparazione alle pandemie, in un contesto di aumento delle varianti di COVID e influenza aviaria. Il farmaco ha dimostrato un'efficacia superiore sia contro il COVID-19 che contro l'influenza rispetto ai trattamenti esistenti come Remdesivir e Tamiflu. NV-387 ha completato la fase I degli studi clinici senza eventi avversi ed è formulato come caramelle gommose orali. Il farmaco agisce su caratteristiche virali invarianti, rendendo difficile per i virus sviluppare resistenza. L'azienda sottolinea i vantaggi di NV-387, inclusa la produzione negli Stati Uniti, la conservazione a temperatura ambiente e la potenziale rapida distribuzione per rispondere alle pandemie. Lo sviluppo del farmaco avviene mentre emerge la nuova variante COVID Nimbus (NB1.8.1), caratterizzata da maggiore trasmissibilità e resistenza ai vaccini, e mentre i casi di influenza aviaria H5N1 mostrano sviluppi preoccupanti in Michigan e Cambogia.
NanoViricides (NYSE: NNVC) anuncia que su medicamento antiviral de amplio espectro NV-387 podría ser crucial para la preparación ante pandemias, en medio del aumento de variantes de COVID y gripe aviar. El medicamento ha demostrado una efectividad superior contra COVID-19 e influenza en comparación con tratamientos existentes como Remdesivir y Tamiflu. NV-387 ha completado ensayos de Fase I sin eventos adversos y se presenta en forma de gomitas orales. El medicamento se dirige a características virales invariantes, dificultando que los virus desarrollen resistencia. La compañía destaca las ventajas de NV-387, incluyendo fabricación en EE.UU., almacenamiento a temperatura ambiente y posible despliegue rápido para la respuesta pandémica. El desarrollo del medicamento se produce mientras surge la nueva variante de COVID Nimbus (NB1.8.1), con mayor transmisión y resistencia a las vacunas, y mientras los casos de gripe aviar H5N1 presentan avances preocupantes en Michigan y Camboya.
NanoViricides(NYSE: NNVC)� 광범� 항바이러스제 NV-387� COVID � 조류 인플루엔� 변� 증가 속에� 팬데� 대비에 중요� 역할� � � 있다� 발표했습니다. � 약물은 렘데시비�(Remdesivir)와 타미플�(Tamiflu) 같은 기존 치료제보� COVID-19와 인플루엔� 모두� 대� 뛰어� 효과� 보였습니�. NV-387은 1� 임상� 무사� 완료했으� 부작용� 없고 구강� 젤리 형태� 제형화되� 있습니다. � 약물은 변하지 않는 바이러스 특성� 표적으로 하여 바이러스가 내성� 갖기 어렵� 만듭니다. 회사� 미국 � 제조 능력, 상온 보관 가능성, 팬데� 대응을 위한 신속 배포 가능성 � NV-387� 장점� 강조합니�. � 약물 개발은 전염력과 백신 저항성� 증가� 새로� COVID 변� 님버�(NB1.8.1)가 등장하고, 미시간과 캄보디아에서 H5N1 조류 인플루엔� 사례가 우려스러� 추세� 보이� 가운데 진행되고 있습니다.
NanoViricides (NYSE : NNVC) annonce que son médicament antiviral à large spectre NV-387 pourrait être essentiel pour la préparation aux pandémies face à la montée des variants de la COVID et de la grippe aviaire. Ce médicament a démontré une efficacité supérieure contre la COVID-19 et la grippe par rapport aux traitements existants comme le Remdesivir et le Tamiflu. NV-387 a terminé les essais de phase I sans événements indésirables et est formulé sous forme de gommes à mâcher orales. Le médicament cible des caractéristiques virales invariantes, rendant difficile le développement de résistances par les virus. La société met en avant les avantages de NV-387, notamment une fabrication basée aux États-Unis, une conservation à température ambiante et un déploiement rapide potentiel pour répondre aux pandémies. Le développement du médicament intervient alors qu'émerge le nouveau variant COVID Nimbus (NB1.8.1), caractérisé par une transmission accrue et une résistance aux vaccins, tandis que les cas de grippe aviaire H5N1 présentent des évolutions préoccupantes dans le Michigan et au Cambodge.
NanoViricides (NYSE: NNVC) kündigt an, dass sein Breitband-Antiviral-Medikament NV-387 entscheidend für die Pandemievorbereitung sein könnte, angesichts der zunehmenden COVID- und Vogelgrippe-Varianten. Das Medikament hat eine überlegene Wirksamkeit gegen COVID-19 und Influenza im Vergleich zu bestehenden Behandlungen wie Remdesivir und Tamiflu gezeigt. NV-387 hat die Phase-I-Studien ohne unerwünschte Ereignisse abgeschlossen und liegt in Form von oralen Gummis vor. Das Medikament zielt auf unveränderliche virale Merkmale ab, was es den Viren erschwert, Resistenzen zu entwickeln. Das Unternehmen hebt die Vorteile von NV-387 hervor, darunter die Herstellung in den USA, Lagerung bei Raumtemperatur und die Möglichkeit eines schnellen Einsatzes zur Pandemiebekämpfung. Die Entwicklung des Medikaments erfolgt, während die neue COVID-Variante Nimbus (NB1.8.1) mit erhöhter Übertragbarkeit und Impfstoffresistenz auftritt und besorgniserregende Entwicklungen bei H5N1-Vogelgrippefällen in Michigan und Kambodscha zu verzeichnen sind.
Positive
  • NV-387 completed Phase I clinical trials with no reported adverse events
  • Drug showed superior effectiveness compared to Remdesivir for COVID-19 and outperformed Tamiflu, Rapivab, and Xofluza for influenza
  • US-based cGMP manufacturing capabilities already established
  • Product can be stored at room temperature or refrigeration
  • Oral gummy formulation allows easy administration even with sore throat
Negative
  • Company cannot project exact date for filing IND for its drugs
  • Drug still requires Phase II clinical trials before potential deployment
  • Development path requires substantial capital and lengthy timeline
  • No guarantee of successful clinical trials or pharmaceutical product development

Insights

NanoViricides' NV-387 completes Phase I with no adverse events; shows promise against emerging viral threats based on animal studies.

NanoViricides' lead candidate NV-387 has successfully completed Phase I clinical trials with no reported adverse events, a critical early milestone in drug development. The company is positioning this broad-spectrum antiviral as a potential treatment for multiple respiratory threats including emerging COVID variants (Nimbus/NB1.8.1) and H5N1 bird flu strains that are showing concerning transmission characteristics.

The mechanism of action targeting invariant heparan sulfate-like structures that viruses use for attachment provides a scientifically plausible rationale for why resistance might be less likely to develop. In preclinical animal models, NV-387 demonstrated superior effectiveness compared to approved antivirals including Tamiflu, Rapivab, Xofluza, and Remdesivir.

The oral gummy formulation offers practical advantages for administration, particularly for patients with difficulty swallowing due to illness or age. The company claims US-based cGMP manufacturing capabilities and room-temperature stability, which would be significant advantages for pandemic preparedness applications.

However, investors should note that NV-387 remains in early clinical development. While completing Phase I with a clean safety profile is positive, the drug must still progress through Phase II efficacy studies and larger Phase III trials before potential approval. The effectiveness claims against multiple viruses are currently supported by animal models only, not human clinical data.

The company's strategic positioning for pandemic preparedness contracts represents a potential commercial opportunity, especially with concerns about emerging respiratory viruses. However, the antiviral market is competitive, with both established pharmaceutical companies and other biotechs pursuing similar objectives.

SHELTON, CT / / June 18, 2025 / Dr. Anil Diwan, President of NanoViricides, Inc. (NYSE Amer.: ) (the "Company"), asserts that with new rising variants of COVID and Bird Flu, the single broad-spectrum antiviral drug NV-387 is well-positioned to support preparedness efforts and to combat potential pandemics.

Nimbus, a new COVID variant, officially NB1.8.1, is displacing the LP8.1 variant that was dominant until a few weeks ago in the USA ().

Nimbus has been rising globally since Spring according to WHO ().

Nimbus causes "razor-sharp" sore throat in some individuals, which is extremely painful and lingering for some time, in addition to the usual COVID symptoms.

Nimbus is more resistant to antibodies generated from previous vaccines, although prior vaccination or natural COVID infection is expected to still be protective in terms reduced severity compared to without such immunity according to CDC.

Nimbus is likely to be more transmissible than the previous variants. It belongs to the JN.1 subfamily of the Omicron family of SARS-CoV-2 virus.

Recently, the Influenza A H5N1 virus from a dairy worker in Michigan was found to be capable of airborne transmission in a ferret animal model [1] (). This genotype B3.13 (clade clade 2.3.4.4b) virus in dairy cattle causes moderate severity disease in humans. In contrast, a highly pathogenic genotype D1.1 that is circulating in birds birds has led to one critical month-long illness in Canada and one death in the US signifying the potential for high morbidity and mortality from this genotype if it spreads in humans.

Additionally, a new genotype of H5N1 in Cambodia has caused four fatalities and fifth severe infection as of today ().

NV-387, the broad-spectrum antiviral drug is expected to be effective against all of these bird flu viruses. NV-387 was found to be substantially superior to Tamiflu® (Roche, Oseltamivir), Rapivab® (Biocryst, Peramivir), as well as Xofluza (Shionogi/Roche, baloxavir) in lethal lung infection animal model of Influenza infection. All three of these existing anti-influenza drugs are known to be escaped by Influenza viruses by single point mutations in H or PB2 genes.

NV-387 was found to be substantially superior to the approved drug Remdesivir in a lethal coronavirus lung infection animal model for SARS-CoV-2.

Thus the single drug NV-387 alone can combat H5N1, Influenza as well as COVID infections.

NV-387 has completed Phase I clinical trial in healthy human subjects with no reported adverse events.

COVID as well as Influenza viruses readily escape vaccines, antibodies as they change in the field during an epidemic wave. They are also likely to escape small molecule drugs by such changes.

NV-387 takes advantage of the invariant features that these viruses use for causing infection, by mimicking heparan sulfate-like structures. No matter how much these viruses change in the field, they continue to use the heparan sulfate attachment receptors in order to cause infection. Thus it is practically impossible that the viruses may be able escape NV-387 without losing their ability infect and transmit across humans, the Company believes.

NV-387 is orally available, formulated as oral gummies that dissolve in the mouth, thus avoiding issues of inability to swallow which occurs related to sore throat, old age, as well as in young children.

NV-387, as a treatment, is designed to help actually patients with disease recover rapidly, thus limiting the viral spread as well as providing for natural infection-based immunity in the recovered patient.

"NV-387 is thus the best current choice available for a highly cost-effective pandemic preparedness development," said Anil R. Diwan, PhD, President and Executive Chairman of the Company, adding, "We have US-based cGMP manufacturing capabilities already set up as well."

Of note, natural immunity, as induced by recovery from infection, is known to be superior to immunity from subunit and mRNA vaccines. One of the important reasons is that in natural infection, the immune system is subjected to all possible antigens from the entire virus, unlike just the selected antigens or antigen fragments that are present in subunit or mRNA vaccines.

Also, NV-387 can be manufactured in the USA and stockpiled readily at room temperature or refrigeration (for longer periods of time).

Unlike NV-387, vaccines or antibodies would require to be created after the virus takes hold, and they would suffer substantial loss of effectiveness within months after deployment due to changes in the virus. Additionally, vaccines require a cold chain handling. Vaccines also need to be administered to a large proportion of healthy population. There are significant logistical problems with vaccines. There is also the issue of vaccine reluctance, which is a personal choice, as it should be in a free country like the USA.

The broad-spectrum antiviral drug NV-387 was developed specifically to overcome all of these problems. In case of further spread of a severe COVID variant and also a Bird Flu variant in human populations, it will be possible to move NV-387 rapidly into Phase II clinical trial for these diseases, and then prepare for deployment early in the potential pandemic, curtailing its spread.

NanoViricides, Inc. (the "Company") () is a clinical stage company that is creating special purpose nanomaterials for antiviral therapy. The Company's novel nanoviricide� class of drug candidates and the nanoviricide� technology are based on intellectual property, technology and proprietary know-how of TheraCour Pharma, Inc. The Company has a Memorandum of Understanding with TheraCour for the development of drugs based on these technologies for all antiviral infections. The MoU does not include cancer and similar diseases that may have viral origin but require different kinds of treatments.

The Company has obtained broad, exclusive, sub-licensable, field licenses to drugs developed in several licensed fields from TheraCour Pharma, Inc. The Company's business model is based on licensing technology from TheraCour Pharma Inc. for specific application verticals of specific viruses, as established at its foundation in 2005.

Our lead drug candidate is NV-387, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that we plan to develop as a treatment of RSV, COVID, Long COVID, Influenza, and other respiratory viral infections, as well as MPOX/Smallpox infections. Our other advanced drug candidate is NV-HHV-1 for the treatment of Shingles. The Company cannot project an exact date for filing an IND for any of its drugs because of dependence on a number of external collaborators and consultants. The Company is currently focused on advancing NV-387 into Phase II human clinical trials.

NV-CoV-2 (API NV-387) is our nanoviricide drug candidate for COVID-19 that does not encapsulate remdesivir. NV-CoV-2-R is our other drug candidate for COVID-19 that is made up of NV-387 with remdesivir encapsulated within its polymeric micelles. The Company believes that since remdesivir is already US FDA approved, our drug candidate encapsulating remdesivir is likely to be an approvable drug, if safety is comparable. Remdesivir is developed by Gilead. The Company has developed both of its own drug candidates NV-CoV-2 and NV-CoV-2-R independently.

The Company is also developing drugs against a number of viral diseases including oral and genital Herpes, viral diseases of the eye including EKC and herpes keratitis, H1N1 swine flu, H5N1 bird flu, seasonal Influenza, HIV, Hepatitis C, Rabies, Dengue fever, and Ebola virus, among others. NanoViricides' platform technology and programs are based on the TheraCour® nanomedicine technology of TheraCour, which TheraCour licenses from AllExcel. NanoViricides holds a worldwide exclusive perpetual license to this technology for several drugs with specific targeting mechanisms in perpetuity for the treatment of the following human viral diseases: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV/AIDS), Hepatitis B Virus (HBV), Hepatitis C Virus (HCV), Rabies, Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1 and HSV-2), Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV), Influenza and Asian Bird Flu Virus, Dengue viruses, Japanese Encephalitis virus, West Nile Virus, Ebola/Marburg viruses, and certain Coronaviruses. The Company intends to obtain a license for RSV, Poxviruses, and/or Enteroviruses if the initial research is successful. As is customary, the Company must state the risk factor that the path to typical drug development of any pharmaceutical product is extremely lengthy and requires substantial capital. As with any drug development efforts by any company, there can be no assurance at this time that any of the Company's pharmaceutical candidates would show sufficient effectiveness and safety for human clinical development. Further, there can be no assurance at this time that successful results against coronavirus in our lab will lead to successful clinical trials or a successful pharmaceutical product.

This press release contains forward-looking statements that reflect the Company's current expectation regarding future events. 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. You should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements since they involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which are, in some cases, beyond the Company's control and which could, and likely will, materially affect actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update or revise these forward-looking statements for any reason, or to update the reasons actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements, even if new information becomes available in the future. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the company's expectations include, but are not limited to, those factors that are disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in documents filed by the company from time to time with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and other regulatory authorities. Although it is not possible to predict or identify all such factors, they may include the following: demonstration and proof of principle in preclinical trials that a nanoviricide is safe and effective; successful development of our product candidates; our ability to seek and obtain regulatory approvals, including with respect to the indications we are seeking; the successful commercialization of our product candidates; and market acceptance of our products.

The phrases "safety", "effectiveness" and equivalent phrases as used in this press release refer to research findings including clinical trials as the customary research usage and do not indicate evaluation of safety or effectiveness by the US FDA.

FDA refers to US Food and Drug Administration. IND application refers to "Investigational New Drug" application. cGMP refers to current Good Manufacturing Practices. CMC refers to "Chemistry, Manufacture, and Controls". CHMP refers to the Committee for Medicinal Products for Human Use, which is the European Medicines Agency's (EMA) committee responsible for human medicines. API stands for "Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient". WHO is the World Health Organization. R&D refers to Research and Development.

Contact:
NanoViricides, Inc.
[email protected]

Public Relations Contact:
[email protected]


Brock N, Pulit-Penaloza JA, Belser JA, et al. Avian Influenza A(H5N1) Isolated from Dairy Farm Worker, Michigan, USA. Emerging Infectious Diseases. 2025;31(6):1253-1256. doi:10.3201/eid3106.250386.

SOURCE: NanoViricides, Inc.



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FAQ

What is NanoViricides' NV-387 and how does it work against COVID-19 and bird flu?

NV-387 is a broad-spectrum antiviral drug that mimics heparan sulfate-like structures to target invariant viral features used for infection. It has shown superior effectiveness against both COVID-19 and influenza in testing compared to existing treatments.

What stage of development is NNVC's NV-387 currently in?

NV-387 has completed Phase I clinical trials with no reported adverse events and is preparing to move into Phase II trials for various viral infections.

How is NV-387 different from existing antiviral treatments?

NV-387 targets invariant viral features making it harder for viruses to develop resistance, can be stored at room temperature, and is formulated as oral gummies. It has shown superior effectiveness to existing treatments like Remdesivir and Tamiflu.

What advantages does NNVC's NV-387 have for pandemic preparedness?

NV-387 offers US-based manufacturing, room temperature storage, broad-spectrum effectiveness against multiple viruses, and can be rapidly deployed early in potential pandemics. It's designed as a single drug solution for both COVID and influenza variants.

How does NV-387 address the new Nimbus COVID variant and H5N1 concerns?

NV-387 is designed to remain effective against viral variants due to its mechanism targeting invariant features, potentially providing protection against both the Nimbus COVID variant and emerging H5N1 bird flu strains.
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