Nanotechnology Now - Press Release: NanoViricides is on Course to Develop Bird Flu, Influenza, and Other Drugs

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Abstract:
CEO Dr. Seymour Discusses Achievements During 2007

NanoViricides is on Course to Develop Bird Flu, Influenza, and Other Drugs

WEST HAVEN, CT | Posted on January 22nd, 2008

NanoViricides, Inc. (OTC BB: NNVC.OB) (the "Company"), reported today that they are on course with the development of nanoviricides™ drug candidates against highly pathogenic avian influenzas (HPAI) including H5N1 bird flu, and common influenza. "We are now ready to begin animal studies on H5N1 at a renowned federal agency," said Dr. Eugene Seymour, MD, MPH, CEO of the Company. Earlier, the Company had delayed these studies in search of suitable facilities. The work is expected to begin once the contracts are finalized.

Bird Flu H5N1 continues to spread over ever-widening geographic regions and is a major cause of concern for potential pandemic influenza, according to the WHO. This year so far bird flu has spread into six districts in West Bengal, India, causing 120,000 birds to be culled in just 5 days, and 194,000 people to be screened for bird-flu-like symptoms, reports Times of India on January 21, 2008. A boy died of bird flu in Indonesia, and the H5N1 virus was found as far away as a Ukrainian village of Rivne and also northern part of Iran, reports Voice of America. Various research articles have appeared which make researchers fear the virus could mutate and become significantly transmissible between humans.

There are currently no effective treatments against H5N1, or the class of pandemic threatening viruses called HPAI. "The broad-spectrum FluCide™, and the HPAI-specific FluCide-HP™, are designed using the virus's host cell-binding features that do not change even when the virus mutates," says Anil R. Diwan, Ph.D., President of the Company. This feature would potentially make these two drugs the best current treatment options for development, says the Company. Vaccines and Antibodies could lose effectiveness due to mutations. H5N1 resistance to Tamiflu® is well known, and resistance against other existing same-class (neuraminidase inhibitor) drugs such as peramivir and possibly Relenza® could occur due to virus mutations.

Dr. Seymour has posted a summary of achievements of the Company on their website.

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About NanoViricides, Inc.
NanoViricides, Inc. (www.nanoviricides.com) 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, hepatitis C, rabies, and dengue fever, 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.

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Contacts:
NanoViricides, Inc.
Amanda Schuon
10-550-7200

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