novabiotics.co.uk : Novexatin

NovaBiotics’ clinical stage lead therapeutic candidate is Novexatin^®, a topical brush-on treatment for fungal nail infections (onychomycosis), an economically important disease of the toe nails, finger nails and surrounding skin, affecting at least 12% of the world's population. This translates to a potential global market worth in the order of $5 bn.

Nail fungus is not merely a cosmetic condition and impacts the quality of life of those affected, causing a great deal of pain, discomfort and embarrassment. Current treatment options are limited and exist in both tablet (oral) or lacquer (topical) form. They can require lengthy treatment periods, are costly and most often poor in efficacy (resulting in significant clinical & aesthetic improvement in less than 40% of patients) with relapse of infection post-treatment and drug-resistance in the casuative fungi all too common. Oral therapies for nail fungus are also associated with a range of well-described side effects and toxicity.

The need for a more effective, safe, cost-effective and patient-freindly treatment for this very common condition is clear and is what NovaBiotics has achieved with Novexatin^®. Novexatin^® represents a therapeutic step-change as a nail-pentrating, fast-acting, safe and resistance-free antifungal peptide that can clear infection within only 28-days of daily application. In doing so, Novexatin^® has the potential to address the shortcomings (particularly treatment time and safety) of conventional therapies. This is especially relevant for an estimated 50% of nail infection patients who cannot or will not use currently available treatments.