Ruvidar(TM) Proven More Effective Than Acyclovir in Destruction of Herpes Simplex Virus

Theralase® Technologies Inc. is currently seeking partnerships / licensing opportunities in the commercial development of this latest discovery

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / September 3, 2024 / Theralase® Technologies Inc. ("Theralase®" or the "Company") (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light, radiation, sound and/or drug-activated small molecules and their formulations, intended for the safe and effective destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses, is pleased to announce that it's lead drug formulation, Ruvidar ^TM , has been demonstrated preclinically to be more effective in the destruction of the Herpes Simplex Virus 1 ("HSV-1") than the currently approved standard of care drug, Acyclovir.

Acyclovir is an antiviral drug used to slow the growth and spread of the HSV-1 virus in the body. Acyclovir will not cure herpes, but it can lessen the symptoms of the infection. It is used to treat infections caused by herpes viruses, such as genital herpes, cold sores, shingles and chicken pox.

The globalantiviral drugs market sizeis expected to be worth around $ USD 71.1 Billion by 2032.

An estimated 3.7 billion people under age 50 (67%) globally have HSV-1, the main cause of oral herpes.

As an indication of the impact that a virus can have on the human population, since early 2020, the SARS-CoV-2 virus (COVID-19) has been estimated to have been responsible for over 250 million infections and 5 million deaths.

In previous experiments, conducted at the University of Manitoba, it was demonstrated that the light-activated small molecule Ruvidar ^TM was highly effective in inactivating numerous viruses.

The latest research now demonstrates that Ruvidar ^TM is more potent than Acyclovir, the gold-standard anti-herpetic treatment, in destroying an ongoing HSV-1 infection. See Figure 1.

Another very important observation from the experiment is that Acyclovir was unable to prevent HSV-1 replication, if added one day after infection; however, Ruvidar ^TM was able to prevent HSV-1 replication by 10 million-fold when added 1 day after infection. See Figure 2.

In other words, from a clinical perspective, if a patient has pre-existing HSV-1, then Acyclovir would be unable to prevent replication of the virus; however, Ruvidar ^TM would be extremely effective.

Kevin Coombs, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., professor at the Max Rady College of Medicine, Medical Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, University of Manitoba stated, " We previously demonstrated that Ruvidar ^TM was highly effective in inactivating numerous viruses, when used alone or activated by light. We have now demonstrated that Ruvidar ^TM alone is more effective than Acyclovir, the gold-standard anti-herpetic treatment, in destroying an ongoing HSV-1 infection. In a tissue culture model of HSV-1-infected cells, in which the cells were pre-treated with the drugs, before infection, it required 20 micromolar of Acyclovir to inhibit 99.95% HSV-1 replication, but conversely only 10 micromolar of Ruvidar ^TM to inhibit more than 99.99% HSV-1 replication. In further analysis, 20 micromolar of Ruvidar ^TM was able to inhibit more than 10 million-fold HSV-1 replication. Furthermore, Acyclovir was unable to prevent HSV-1 DNA replication, if added one day after infection; whereas, 10 micromolar of Ruvidar ^TM was able to inhibit more than 99.9% HSV-1 replication and 20 micromolar of Ruvidar ^TM was able to inhibit more than 10 million-fold HSV replication, even when added one day after infection. This exciting data could lead to the development of novel broad-spectrum antiviral approaches focused on prophylaxis (prevention of disease) and treatment of diseases induced by various individual viruses or virus families."

Dr. Arkady Mandel, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Chief Scientific Officer of Theralase® stated, "Most viruses can cause serious and fatal illnesses and it is important to define those situations, where antiviral use is warranted and of proven benefit to minimize the toxicity and viral resistance of vaccines, which has been described for nearly all antiviral drugs. We are very pleased by the outcomes of the latest experiments conducted by Dr. Coombs, demonstrating that Ruvidar ™ alone can destroy viruses at low concentrations, preclinically. The antiviral activity of Ruvidar™ alone surpassed the antiviral activity of Acyclovir and can be even further optimized through activation, such as light, radiation, sound or a drug. It is well known that the transferrin receptor ("TfR") is an alternative target for viruses to penetrate mammalian cells. The literature strongly suggests that the TfR pathway is what a virus uses to enter and infect a cell. In previous Theralase ® research, it was demonstrated that Ruvidar™ combined with transferrin ("Tf") (Rutherrin®) was able to utilize the TfR pathway to penetrate a cell; hence, Ruvidar™ and a virus are in competition for the same TfR receptor. This theoretically allows Ruvidar™ the ability to block or significantly reduce the infectivity of the virus, as they compete for the same "door" into a cell, suggesting that Ruvidar™ could be effectively used not only as a treatment to destroy viral infections, but also as a prophylactic treatment (to prevent disease). On a final note, antiviral Ruvidar™ may find an additional clinical application in patients with cancer and those undergoing hematopoietic cell transplantation for prevention of infection from viral agents."

Roger DuMoulin-White, B.E.Sc., P.Eng., Pro.Dir., President and Chief Executive Officer of Theralase® stated, " This latest research continues to strengthen what we already know, Ruvidar™ is a very potent drug in the destruction of cancer, viruses and bacteria on its own and is further enhanced by light, radiation, sound or drug activation. Based on this latest research, Theralase® plans to commence seeking a partner / licensing opportunity in the development of Ruvidar™ for both a topical and oral treatment for the prevention and treatment of herpes simplex. "

About Theralase® Technologies Inc.:
Theralase® is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light, radiation, sound and/or drug-activated small molecule compounds, their associated drug formulations and the light systems that activate them, with a primary objective of efficacy and a secondary objective of safety in the destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses.

Additional information is available at www.theralase.com and www.sedar.com

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Forward-Looking Statements:
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For More Information:
1.866.THE.LASE (843-5273)
416.699.LASE (5273)
www.theralase.com

Kristina Hachey, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
X 224
khachey@theralase.com

SOURCE: Theralase Technologies, Inc.