Globavir Announces a Partnership with BioManguinhos/Fiocruz for a Joint Evaluation of Dengue Diagnostic Tests

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• Latin America - español
• Brazil - Português

LOS ALTOS, Calif., March 23, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Globavir Biosciences, Inc. ("Globavir"), a biotechnology company developing diagnostic and therapeutic technologies to treat infectious diseases, has announced a partnership with BioManguinhos, a division of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz), for a joint evaluation of Globavir's PanGlob™ RT-PCR Dengue diagnostic assay. Under the terms of the agreement both parties will work jointly to evaluate and develop PanGlob for commercial launch in Brazil. PanGlob in comparison to any other Dengue diagnostic assays, is more sensitive in detecting the Dengue virus in patient samples. This collaboration may result in future joint ventures or technology transfers.

The PanGlob™ RT-PCR Dengue diagnostic assay is capable of identifying the presence of Dengue RNA in a sample of extracted nucleic acid, regardless of the serotype of the specific virus. In preliminary studies, PanGlob™ demonstrated a higher sensitivity and specificity for Dengue detection, and over a longer window of infection, than other currently available tests.  A point-of-care version of the diagnostic test is currently under development.

Dengue virus, which is carried by the Aedes aegypti mosquito, infects at least 3 million Brazilians each year according to current estimates. Dengue virus is seasonal in Brazil, with infections rising during late summer and early autumn (February – April). 

"We feel strongly that Globavir's PanGlob™ diagnostic will provide a badly needed weapon in combating Dengue infections in Brazil," said Dr. Shalabh Gupta, Globavir's President and CEO. "Accurately diagnosing clinical samples is the first step to identifying and controlling outbreaks. Through this partnership with BioManguinhos, Globavir's powerful diagnostic assay will be in position for deployment during the next Dengue season."

About Dengue

Dengue virus (DENV) infection is currently estimated to affect 390 million patients worldwide, with nearly 100 million of these cases manifesting with consequences ranging from the painful Dengue Fever to the potentially fatal Severe Dengue including Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever (DHF) and Dengue Shock Syndrome (DSS). Driven by increased travel and the global spread of the insect vector Aedes aegypti, the number of reported DENV infections has doubled every 10 years for the past half century and DENV infection has been identified as the fastest growing arthropod borne disease by the WHO. While only nine countries reported endemic transmission prior to 1970, DENV infection is now reported in over 100 countries worldwide and recent outbreaks have occurred in the US states Florida and Texas, as well as Portugal, the United Kingdom, and other previously non-endemic regions.

About Globavir

Globavir Biosciences is an infectious disease company developing life-saving technologies for the diagnosis and treatment of some of the world's most deadly viral diseases.  Globavir is developing powerful combination drug therapies and diagnostic tests for the treatment of Dengue Fever, and is advancing a development candidate for the treatment of Ebola, GBV006.  Globavir is based out of Los Altos, California, USA, has rights to  to develop and commercialize a blood based diagnostic test platform developed at Stanford University. Globavir was also recently selected as one of portfolio companies accepted by StartX, an accelerator at Stanford University.

Globavir's diagnostic tests and test kits are ready to be marketed globally. The company has the leading blood-based molecular diagnostic test to detect Dengue infection as well as a platform for other viral detection tests. Globavir's lead Dengue diagnostic is scheduled to enter clinical trials within the next 6 months.

About BioManguinhos

BioManguinhos is a scientific technology unit of the Oswaldo Cruz Foundation (Fiocruz). Fiocruz is a division of the Brazilian Ministry of Health, with several institutes working on different health related areas (R&D, scientific information, history, education, manufacturing and health care). BioManguinhos develops and manufactures vaccines, biotherapeutics and diagnostics to address the public health needs indicated by the Brazilian Ministry of Health. Currently, BioManguinhos' product list comprises 10 vaccines, 11 diagnostics and 2 bio therapeutics.

Forward Looking Statements and Information

In order to provide Globavir's investors with an understanding of its current results and future prospects, this press release contains statements that are forward-looking. Any statements contained in this press release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward looking statements. Words such as "believes," "anticipates," "scheduled" "hopes," "plans," "expects," "will," "intends," "potential," "possible" and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include statements about the development of Globavir's product candidates, their efficacy, potency and utility in the treatment of rare and infectious diseases, their potential to treat a broad number of human diseases and Globavir's studies. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, many of which are beyond Globavir's control. Known risk factors include, among others: clinical trials may not demonstrate safety and efficacy of any of Globavir's drug candidates and/or Globavir's technology platform; and any of Globavir's drug candidates may fail in development, may not receive required regulatory approvals, or be delayed to a point where they do not become commercially viable. Any of the foregoing risks could materially and adversely affect Globavir's business results.

Globavir does not undertake any obligation to publicly update its forward-looking statements based on events or circumstances after the date hereof.

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SOURCE Globavir Biosciences, Inc.