EMERYVILLE, Calif., April 7, 2010 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE Amex:NBY), a clinical stage Biotechnology company developing first-in-class, anti-infective compounds for the treatment and prevention of antibiotic-resistant infections, today announced that Dmitri Debabov, Ph.D., Associate Director of Microbiology and Cell Biology, will give a presentation on the company's lead Aganocide® compound at the Cambridge Healthtech Institute's 5th annual "Drug Discovery Chemistry" conference in San Diego. April 27-29.
The presentation, titled, "NVC-422, a Novel N-Chlorotaurine Derivative as Topical Antimicrobial," will take place on April 28 at 9:30 a.m. at the Hilton San Diego Resort. Dr. Debabov's presentation will be featured in the Antibacterial Development track as part of the conference's discussion on "Novel Strategies to Nip Resistancies in the Bud."
NVC-422 is the lead compound in NovaBay's Aganocide class of agents, which has demonstrated effectiveness against Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, including MRSA. Early studies have shown that NVC-422 oxidizes key amino acids of enzymes necessary for bacterial survival. Current results with NVC-422 show a broad-spectrum of in-vitro antibacterial activity without evidence of resistance. NVC-422 is currently in clinical trials for a number of non-systemic indications such as acne, impetigo, conjunctivitis ("pink eye") and catheter-associated urinary tract infection.
About NovaBay's Aganocide Compounds
The Aganocide® compounds are novel, proprietary, synthetic N-chlorinated antimicrobial molecules specifically developed by NovaBay to mimic the body's natural defense against infection. The Aganocide compounds maintain the biological activities while improving the stability of naturally occurring N-chlorinated antimicrobial molecules. These highly differentiated, first-in-class, small molecule, patented new chemical entities may deliver the same or better efficacy than currently used antibiotics without contributing to the growing rise of antibiotic-resistant bacterial strains. In preclinical testing, the Aganocide compounds have been shown to be highly effective against bacteria, including its multi-drug resistant strains (such as MRSA), viruses and fungi. They also have been demonstrated to be effective against bacteria in biofilms, which render most antibiotics ineffective. NovaBay's Aganocide compounds have a broad therapeutic index while providing a high degree of potency and tolerability as well as dosing versatility and flexibility.
About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals
NovaBay is a clinical stage Biotechnology company focused on developing its proprietary and patented Aganocide compounds, which are novel, synthetic anti-infective product candidates with equivalent activity to the active antimicrobial molecules generated within white blood cells. NovaBay's Aganocides are being developed to treat and prevent a wide range of infections without causing bacterial resistance. NovaBay has internal development programs aimed at addressing hospital and respiratory infections. The company has a license and research collaboration agreement with Alcon, Inc. for use of its Aganocide compounds to treat eye, ear and sinus infections as well as for contact lens care. NovaBay has also entered into an agreement with Galderma S.A. to develop and commercialize Aganocides in acne, impetigo and other dermatological indications. NovaBay™ and Aganocide® are trademarks of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc. For more information on NovaBay, visit: www.novabaypharma.com.