NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, the Developer of Anti-Infective Aganocide Compounds

Ron Najafi, the founder and Chairman of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, the Developer of Anti-Infective Aganocide Compounds effective against bacteria, virus and fungi joins eHealth Radio and the Health News Channel.

Listen to interview with host Eric Michaels & guest Ron Najafi discuss the following:

• NovaBay Pharmaceuticals is "going beyond antibiotics". What do you mean by that?
• NovaBay has issued a Call to Action. What does it include?
• Describe NovaBay's product pipeline.
• What can individuals do now to protect themselves from antibiotic resistance in everyday life?
• What can those individuals do who are planning to enter the hospital for surgery or a stay in the hospital do to protect themselves? Please provide us with some tips.

Ramin (“Ron”) Najafi is the founder and Chairman of NovaBay. He has served as President since 2002, and as Chief Executive Officer since 2004. Previously, Dr. Najafi served in various management positions within NovaBay including as Chief Scientific Officer.

Prior to founding NovaBay, Dr. Najafi was the President and CEO of California Pacific Labs, Inc., a chemical laboratory safety devices company. He has also held scientific roles at Rhone Poulenc Rorer (now Sanofi-Aventis), Applied Biosystems and Aldrich Chemical.
Dr. Najafi received a B.S. and M.S. degree in Chemistry from the University of San Francisco and a Ph.D. in Organic Chemistry from the University of California at Davis.
Background on NovaBay Pharmaceuticals

ANTI-INFECTIVE COMPOUNDS EFFECTIVE AGAINST BACTERIA, VIRUSES AND FUNGI

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals is a clinical-stage biotechnology company focused on developing its proprietary and patented Aganocide® compounds. Aganocides are novel, broad-spectrum, fast-acting, synthetic anti-infectives designed to mimic the body’s defense against infection. They are active against bacteria, fungi and viruses, and are being developed to treat and prevent a wide range of local, non-systemic infections with a low likelihood of developing bacterial resistance.
NOVABAY’S FOUR BUSINESS UNITS
Company’s four core business units – DermaBay, UroBay, EyeBay and MediBay – are developing treatments that tackle infections in the dermatology, urology, ophthalmology, and wound care areas.
Aganocide® Compounds
NovaBay’s first-in-class Aganocide compounds, led by auriclosene, are patented, topical antimicrobials with a broad spectrum of activity against bacteria, viruses and fungi. Mimicking the mechanism of action that human white blood cells use against infections, Aganocides are not subject to bacterial or fungal resistance, which has been demonstrated in in vitro and in vivo studies. Having demonstrated clinical efficacy in Phase 2 proof-of-concept clinical studies, auriclosene is well suited to treat and prevent a wide range of local, non-systemic infections.
NovaBay’s clinical development activities are focused on the following three disease areas:
Dermatology: Partnered with Galderma, a leading dermatology company, to develop a formulation of auriclosene for the treatment of highly contagious skin infection, impetigo, which occurs most commonly in children. Enrollment into a global Phase 2b clinical study has begun and clinical data results are expected in the second half 2013.
Ophthalmology: NovaBay is developing an eye drop formulation of auriclosene for treating adenoviral conjunctivitis, a highly contagious viral eye infection for which there is no approved treatment. Enrollment into a global Phase 2b clinical study has begun, and clinical data results are expected in the second half of 2013.
Urology: NovaBay’s urinary catheter irrigation solution containing auriclosene is currently in a Phase 2 study, with the goal of reducing the incidence of urinary catheter blockage and encrustation (UCBE). The Company reported positive data from an earlier part of an ongoing Phase 2 study and is evaluating the effect of an alternate more potent formulation of auriclosene. Results are expected mid-year.
NeutroPhase®
Distinct from NovaBay’s Aganocides drug platform, NeutroPhase has been cleared by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as a 510(k) medical device and is indicated as a skin and wound cleanser. NeutroPhase, which targets the 6 million-patient U.S. market of chronic non-healing wounds, such as pressure, venous stasis and diabetic ulcers, is the only pure hypochlorous acid solution available today. For additional information, visit: www.neutrophase.com.
COLLABORATION WITH GALDERMA
NovaBay has entered into and recently expanded an agreement with Galderma S.A. to develop and commercialize Aganocide compounds in acne, impetigo and other dermatological indications.

Links: www.novabay.com