Provectus Biopharmaceuticals Announces Publication of Pharmaceutical-Grade Rose Bengal’s Activity Against Gram-Positive Bacteria

Rhea-AI Summary

Provectus (OTCQB: PVCT) announced the publication of preclinical research on its pharmaceutical-grade rose bengal, demonstrating its effectiveness against Gram-positive bacteria, including drug-resistant strains. The study, led by Dr. Michio Kurosu from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center, highlights that Provectus' formulation kills bacteria rapidly, eradicates biofilms, and shows low resistance development. The results support the potential of rose bengal as an anti-infective drug for skin and soft tissue infections, advancing its clinical application.

Positive

• Research shows Provectus' rose bengal formulation kills drug-resistant Gram-positive bacteria quickly.
• HP-RBf eradicates bacterial biofilms, a significant challenge in infection treatment.
• Low frequency of resistance development supports the drug's efficacy.

Negative

• None.

KNOXVILLE, TN, Jan. 10, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Provectus (OTCQB: PVCT) today announced that preclinical research on a formulation of the Company’s pharmaceutical-grade rose bengal against Gram-positive (G+) bacteria was published in Molecules, an open-access journal of chemistry.

The article, entitled “Antibacterial Activity of Pharmaceutical-Grade Rose Bengal: An Application of a Synthetic Dye in Antibacterial Therapies,” may be accessed at: https://www.mdpi.com/1420-3049/27/1/322/htm.

This work, led by Michio Kurosu, PhD, Professor, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, College of Pharmacy, was conducted under a sponsored research agreement between the University of Tennessee Health Science Center in Memphis, Tennessee and Provectus.

Dr. Kurosu and his colleagues showed that:

• A formulation of Provectus’ pharmaceutical-grade and high-purity rose bengal drug substance (abbreviated in the article as HP-RBf) killed a battery of G+ bacteria, including drug-resistant strains, at low concentrations in a few minutes under fluorescent, LED, and natural light,
  
  
• HP-RBf eradicated G+ bacterial biofilms, including drug-resistant strains,
  
  
• The frequency that G+ bacteria spontaneously developed resistance to HP-RBf was extremely low,
  
  
• Based on toxicity data from their research, HP-RBf may be feasible as an anti-infective drug for the treatment of skin and soft tissue infections (SSTIs) involving multidrug-resistant (MDR) microbial invasion of the skin, and
  
  
• Based on a whole-genome sequencing and analysis of a generated HP-RBf-resistant mutant, the antibacterial activity of HP-RBf under dark conditions may implicate multiple cooperative mechanisms of action.

Dominic Rodrigues, Vice Chair of the Company’s Board of Directors said, “We are grateful to Dr. Kurosu and his team for their scientific research. These activity data and the favorable safety profile of Provectus’ pharmaceutical-grade rose bengal drug substance support the advancement of a drug formulation into the clinic as a broad-spectrum antibacterial agent. Dr. Kurosu’s work also strongly complements antipathogen research being done by other Provectus collaborators.”

Mr. Rodrigues added, “Provectus’ pharmaceutical-grade rose bengal drug substance is produced by a proprietary 21^st-century manufacturing process, using quality-by-design principles under good manufacturing practices at commercial scale, that consistently synthesizes the Company’s rose bengal molecule. The Provectus process avoids in the first place the formation of substance-related and other contaminants found in commercial-grade rose bengal, which is made essentially using the 19^th-century Gnehm process.”

About Provectus

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc. (Provectus or the Company) is a clinical-stage biotechnology company developing immunotherapy medicines for different disease areas based on a class of small molecules called halogenated xanthenes that includes rose bengal sodium. Information about the Company’s clinical trials can be found at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) registry, www.clinicaltrials.gov. For additional information about Provectus, please visit the Company's website at www.provectusbio.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

The information in this press release may include “forward-looking statements,” within the meaning of U.S. securities legislation, relating to the business of Provectus and its affiliates, which are based on the opinions and estimates of Company management and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as “seek,” “anticipate,” “budget,” “plan,” “continue,” “estimate,” “expect,” “forecast,” “may,” “will,” “project,” “predict,” “potential,” “targeting,” “intend,” “could,” “might,” “should,” “believe,” and similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook.

The safety and efficacy of the agents and/or uses under investigation have not been established. There is no guarantee that the agents will receive health authority approval or become commercially available in any country for the uses being investigated or that such agents as products will achieve any particular revenue levels.

Due to the risks, uncertainties, and assumptions inherent in forward-looking statements, readers should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date hereof or as of the date specifically specified herein, and Provectus undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

Risks, uncertainties, and assumptions include those discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including those described in Item 1A of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 and Provectus’ Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2021.

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Contact:

Provectus Biopharmaceuticals, Inc.
Heather Raines, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Phone: (866) 594-5999

FAQ

What is the recent research publication about Provectus (PVCT)?

The recent research published in Molecules details the antibacterial activity of Provectus' pharmaceutical-grade rose bengal against Gram-positive bacteria, including drug-resistant strains.

Who conducted the research on Provectus' rose bengal?

The research was led by Dr. Michio Kurosu from the University of Tennessee Health Science Center.

What are the implications of the research for Provectus (PVCT)?

The research supports the advancement of Provectus' rose bengal as a potential anti-infective drug for treating skin and soft tissue infections.

What are the benefits of Provectus' rose bengal formulation?

The formulation has shown rapid effectiveness against bacteria, eradication of biofilms, and a low rate of resistance development.

What is the significance of the drug formulation process mentioned in the PR?

Provectus' proprietary manufacturing process minimizes contaminants, ensuring a high-purity product, which is crucial for its efficacy and safety.