- NanoViricides (NNVC, Financial) advances its measles treatment program with the drug candidate NV-387.
- The United States reports 884 confirmed measles cases as of April 24, 2025, with 11% requiring hospitalization.
- NV-387, a broad-spectrum antiviral, has successfully completed Phase I trials without adverse events.
According to recent developments, NanoViricides, Inc. (NNVC) is making strides in developing a potential treatment for measles, as the disease is poised to become endemic in the United States. The key component of their efforts is NV-387, a broad-spectrum antiviral drug candidate, which has shown promise in targeting measles and related viruses like RSV. Stanford scientists have projected the possible endemic status due to a decline in vaccination rates, which stands in contrast to the rising number of measles cases reported in the USA.
As of April 24, 2025, the USA has seen a sharp increase in measles cases, with 884 confirmed cases spanning 30 jurisdictions. The hospitalization rate has reached 11%, with three fatalities reported. The case numbers have spiked by 24% over two weeks, highlighting the urgency for effective intervention. NV-387 has completed Phase I clinical trials, with no adverse events, suggesting it could offer a viable treatment option.
NanoViricides has successfully acquired and propagated the measles virus in their specialized laboratory for further testing. They plan to utilize animal models known as humanized hCD150 mice, specifically susceptible to measles infection, for these studies. Once approved, these tests will determine the effectiveness of NV-387 against measles.
The drug operates by mimicking heparan sulfate proteoglycan (HSPG), thus acting as a viral decoy. This mechanism could prove effective not only against measles but other viruses, including RSV, influenza, and COVID-19. Despite its potential, the path to human trials and commercial availability remains complex, with NV-387 currently prepared for further animal testing.
