PR84031

FORT LAUDERDALE, Florida, May 14, 2020 /PRNewswire=KYODO JBN/ --

Veloce BioPharma LLC reports today that their Halodine(R) Antiseptics have

demonstrated rapid viricidal efficacy against SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes

COVID-19. Halodine(R) is a proprietary povidone-iodine antiseptic developed in

partnership with leading clinicians for repeated nasal and oral administration.

In experiments conducted with The Institute for Antiviral Research at Utah

State University, a BSL3+ laboratory, the proprietary Halodine(R) nasal and

oral antiseptic preparations were proven to rapidly inactivate SARS-CoV-2. It

has been proven to be effective against SARS-CoV-2 even at dilutions as low as

1/20 of the commercially available solutions.

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/753707/Veloce_BioPharma_Logo.jpg

Logo - https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1168054/Halodine_Logo.jpg

"This study shows that a non-toxic nasal and oral solution is also effective

against SARS-CoV-2. This is the first iodine-based antiseptic that has ever

been shown to have activity against the virus that causes COVID-19," said lead

author Jesse Pelletier MD FACS, of Ocean Ophthalmology Group (Miami, FL). "Now

that we finally have proven efficacy against SARS-CoV-2 for povidone-iodine

solutions that are safe for mucosa, we can incorporate them in to our COVID-19

transmission reduction efforts." Dr. Pelletier is leading efforts to design

safe return-to-work protocols for ophthalmology outpatient clinics and

ambulatory surgery centers.

Halodine(R) and COVID-19

The Halodine(R) (

https://c212.net/c/link/?t=0&l=en&o=2803797-1&h=860958419&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.halodine.com%2F&a=Halodine

) family of antiseptics are based on a polymer-enriched povidone-iodine which

is non-toxic to mucosal surfaces. They are specially developed for the safe,

repeated use in the nose and mouth. The high viral loads in the nose and mouth

create a transmission risk, especially in health care settings. Nasal and

respiratory aerosols and droplets have been shown to be a main source of

COVID-19 transmission.

Viral aerosols and droplets can remain infectious for up to three hours. Masks

can help protect against infection, but with nasal and oral antiseptics that

are proven to be effective against the virus, aerosol transmission may be able

to be reduced. Masks alone cannot eliminate the virus. Dr. Pelletier

emphasized, "Nasal antisepsis and oral rinses are an important part of

transmission reduction with masks, just like handwashing is important with

gloves."

"There is much that is still being learned about this novel coronavirus and its

behavior," said Samuel Barone MD, Chief Medical Officer of Veloce BioPharma.

"We have been working on iodophor-based antiviral therapies in dermatology and

ophthalmology for a few years and the Halodine(R) Antiseptic program grew out

of that experience. We are extremely encouraged by these results that for the

first time demonstrate efficacy against the virus that causes COVID-19."

About Veloce BioPharma LLC

Veloce BioPharma LLC is a clinical stage biopharmaceutical company focused on

development of novel antiviral therapies in dermatology and ophthalmology.

Veloce BioPharma was founded and is led by practicing MDs.

Contact : contact@halodine.com,

sbarone@velocebiopharma.com

SOURCE: Veloce BioPharma LLC