Benzinga | Sep 21, 2021 06:15AM EDT

EXCLUSIVE: NanoViricides' Remdesivir-Encapsulated COVID-19 Therapy Shows Encouraging Preclinical Safety Profile

* NanoViricides Inc (NYSE:NNVC) has reported significant advantages gained by remdesivir encapsulation within its lead COVID-19 candidate, thus showing a potential pan-coronavirus cure.

* Related Link: EXCLUSIVE: NanoViricides Beefs Up Its COVID-19 Pipeline With TheraCour Licensing Pact.

* The Company is currently pursuing two COVID-19 drug candidates.

* NV-CoV-2 is a nanoviricide drug candidate that does not encapsulate remdesivir.

* NV-CoV-2-R is another candidate made up of NV-CoV-2 with remdesivir encapsulated in it. Remdesivir was developed by Gilead Sciences Inc (NASDAQ:GILD).

* The animal study showed that almost double the remdesivir remained intact in plasma when given as the encapsulated NV-CoV-2-R form, compared to the standard remdesivir formulation in Sulfobutylether-?-cyclodextrin sodium salt (SBECD), during the first day of dosing.

* Additionally, remdesivir accumulation was observed on repeated dosing of NV-CoV-2-R.

* After the fifth dose and following the standard remdesivir dosing pattern, the circulating level of remdesivir in plasma was 75% greater in the NV-Cov-2-R group than in the remdesivir group.

* The increased intact circulating level did not increase toxicity.

* These data demonstrate that the pan-coronavirus nanopviricide drug candidate NV-CoV-2-R minimizes the loss of remdesivir to bodily metabolism.

* Price Action: NNVC shares closed 5.72% lower at $3.79 on Monday.