Biovista Reports Positive Efficacy Results In Pre-clinical Trial For BVA-201

Biovista has reported that BVA-201, a drug targeting Multiple Sclerosis (MS), has shown positive results in the MOG-induced Experimental Allergic Encephalomyelitis (EAE) murine model of MS.

BVA-201 is an existing drug that Biovista repositioned in MS and is aimed at neuroprotection. It was shown to have both efficacy in reducing symptoms and no toxic effects in the model of MS.

Reportedly, in the animal proof-of-concept trial, BVA-201 was compared to dexamethasone.

BVA-201 induced a significant reduction of EAE severity, the magnitude of which was directly comparable to that caused by dexamethasone.

Moreover, BVA-201 has also protected neural axons and myelin against degeneration, as shown in the histology analysis performed. The analysis provided strong evidence that the compound works as a neuroprotective agent as opposed to most currently approved drugs that target the immune system.

Aris Persidis, president of Biovista, said: “This is our second success in MS in a period of 6 months, with BVA-201 showing efficacy levels closely comparable to those of dexamethasone. What is even more important is that BVA-201 has a known and very favorable safety profile and is already approved for chronic use.