Novoclem presents promising new data at the North America Cystic Fibrosis Conference on November 2, 2017

DURHAM, N.C., Nov. 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Novoclem Therapeutics, a biotech company focused on advancing novel nitric oxide therapies for the treatment of respiratory diseases, today announced that data from an in vitro study with its lead inhalable drug candidate, BIOC51, will be presented at the 2017 North American Cystic Fibrosis Conference ("NACFC") being held November 2-4, in Indianapolis, IN. 

The in vitro work, carried out by researchers at Southern Research Institute (Birmingham, AL) showed that BIOC51 was bactericidal against the following pathogens, several of which have been categorized as a significant public health threat according to the Centers of Disease and Control Prevention (CDC): 

• Methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
• Methicillin-sensitive staphylococcus aureus (MSSA)
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa
• Burkholderia cepacia
• Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare complex (MAC)
• Mycobacterium abscessus
• Achromobacter xylosoxidans
• Stenotrophomonas maltophilia

"These results suggest that Novoclem's product may have great clinical utility across a range of difficult-to-treat infections," said Dr. Mark Schoenfisch, Professor of Chemistry at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, co-inventor of the nitric oxide-releasing biopolymer platform technology and Novoclem's Chief Science Officer. "In fact, we believe that BIOC51 is an ideal alternative to traditional antibiotics that addresses antibiotic resistance threats common to CF patients."

The NACFC abstracts are now available in the online edition of Pediatric Pulmonology.

About BIOC51
BIOC51 is a novel polyglucosamine biopolymer covalently modified with N‑diazeniumdiolate nitric oxide (NO) donors to facilitate spontaneous (without the need of enzymes) and controlled NO release. The level of NO release from BIOC51 has proved sufficient for eradicating planktonic and biofilm-based bacteria, and can be delivered to the lungs as a dry powder or solution (e.g., nebulization).

About Cystic Fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) is a rare life-threatening hereditary disease characterized by the production of thick, hard to clear mucus within the lung, leading to recurrent lung infections and loss of lung function.  Antibiotic therapy, routinely used to treat lung infections in people with CF, becomes ineffective as bacterial resistance develops. The thick mucus within the lungs also makes it difficult for antibiotics to penetrate bacterial colonies so there is a great need to develop alternative agents that can treat bacterial infection in people with CF.

About Novoclem Therapeutics, Inc.
Novoclem Therapeutics, Inc., a subsidiary of KNOW Bio, LLC, is an innovative, preclinical-stage pharmaceutical company focused on helping people who suffer from severe respiratory diseases to breath better and live life more fully. It is initially focused on developing a nitric oxide based treatment for people living with cystic fibrosis and infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The company anticipates submitting an Investigational New Drug application and initiating First in Human clinical trials in 2018. More info available at www.novoclem.com.   

About KNOW Bio LLC
KNOW Bio, LLC, is a life science company committed to improving and extending people's lives by advancing the development and commercialization of its drug and device pipeline through wholly or majority owned subsidiary companies.  Each subsidiary is focused on a specific therapeutic application where nitric oxide provides meaningful health benefit.

Forward-looking Statements
Except for historical information, all of the statements, expectations, and assumptions contained in this press release are forward-looking statements.  Actual results might differ materially from those explicit or implicit in the forward-looking statements.  Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include:  risks associated with the drug development process; reliance on key personnel; the early stage of our business; competition; and other risks described in other Company press releases and presentations.  KNOW Bio and Novoclem Therapeutics assume no obligation and do not intend to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Media Contact:
Darlene Dendy
1-919-270-5789
[email protected] 

SOURCE Novoclem Therapeutics, Inc.