NVC-422 Called "Effective Alternative to Known Antimicrobial Compounds"
EMERYVILLE, Calif., Nov. 14, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- A monograph on NovaBay's lead Aganocide® NVC-422 was recently published in the journal Drugs of the Future. NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex:NBY), is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing its pipeline of first-in-class, broad-spectrum, anti-infective Aganocide® compounds for the local non-systemic treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections The article titled "NVC-422," was written by Rabih Darouiche, MD of Baylor College of Medicine in collaboration with the product development team from NovaBay Pharmaceuticals.
The monograph introduces NVC-422 as "a first-in-class synthetic stable chlorotaurine exhibiting a broad-spectrum of activity against Gram-positive and Gram-negative pathogens, without the potential for developing drug resistance." The monograph highlights the Phase II clinical studies in impetigo, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, urinary catheter blockage and encrustation, and adenoviral conjunctivitis as well as the preclinical safety and background. NVC-422 has been shown to be well-tolerated and its mechanism of action, time-kill and lack of observed drug resistance uniquely differentiates it from traditional antibiotic agents.
"Drugs of the Future is a leading interdisciplinary biomedical research journal publishing peer-reviewed articles of emerging topics from medicine, pharmacology, biology and chemistry," said Ron Najafi, PhD, CEO of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals. "The journal has a history of highlighting important new trends and breakthroughs in basic, translational and clinical research. We are excited about the potential for treating topical infectious disease with this compound, for which we hold a patent through 2026."
To read the full abstract of the article, please visit the following link:
http://journals.prous.com/journals/servlet/xmlxsl/pk_journals.xml_summary_pr?p_JournalId=2&p_RefId=1622081&p_IsPs=N
About Aganocides
NovaBay's Aganocide compounds are novel, synthetic N-chlorinated antimicrobial molecules specifically designed and developed to mimic the body's natural defense against infection. The topical Aganocide compounds maintain biological activities while demonstrating improved stability over the naturally occurring N-chlorinated antimicrobial molecules. In preclinical testing, NovaBay's Aganocide compounds have been shown to be highly effective against bacteria, including some multi-drug resistant strains (such as MRSA), viruses and fungi. NovaBay's Aganocide compounds have the potential to deliver the same or better efficacy than antibiotics, and to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance by employing a novel mechanism of action.
About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
NovaBay Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing its proprietary and patented Aganocide compounds. These are novel, synthetic anti-infectives with activity against bacteria, fungi and viruses, and are being developed to treat and prevent a wide range of local, non-systemic infections with a low likelihood of developing bacterial resistance.
NovaBay is focusing its technology on four distinct therapeutic areas: dermatology, ophthalmology, urology and hospital infections. In dermatology, the focus is on developing an NVC-422 gel formulation for the highly contagious skin infection of impetigo. NovaBay has the advantage of being partnered with Galderma, the leading dermatology company in the world. In ophthalmology, the goal is to develop an eye drop for viral conjunctivitis. In urology, NovaBay aims to reduce the incidence of urinary catheter blockage and encrustation (UCBE) and the potential for urinary tract infections with an irrigation solution containing NVC-422. In hospital infection, NovaBay is targeting the six-million-patient market of chronic non-healing wounds, such as pressure, venous stasis and diabetic ulcers with its proprietary anti-infective solution, NeutroPhase, which has received two 510(k) clearances from the Food and Drug Administration. For additional information, visit www.novabaypharma.com.
Cautionary Information Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
The statements in this press release regarding the potential efficacy of its Aganocide compounds, particularly NVC-422, for treating topical infectious diseases and to address the growing problem of antibiotic resistance are forward-looking statements. These statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause to such differences include, but are not limited to: the risks that results obtained in animal models may not be obtained in humans; the risk that results obtained in pre-clinical studies may not be obtained in clinical studies, and inherent risks and uncertainties relating to difficulties or delays in conducting clinical trials, as well other as risks relating to NovaBay and its Aganocide compounds detailed in NovaBay's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, under the caption "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part II of that report, which was filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 7, 2011. The forward-looking statements in this release speak only as of this date, and NovaBay disclaims any intent or obligation to revise or update publicly any forward-looking statement except as required by law.