New Laboratory Study Shows That NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’ Avenovacompletely Inactivates The Bacterial Enzyme That Contributes To Blepharitis And Meibomian Gland Dysfunction

PHOENIX & EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Phoenix Eye Care and NovaBay^® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT: NBY) announced that Dr. Arthur B. Epstein, Director of Clinical Research and head of the Dry Eye - Ocular Surface Disease Center at Phoenix Eye Care, discussed the benefits of NovaBay’s Avenova^™ lid & lash cleanser at the Annual Meeting of the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO). The poster presentation was held today, May 6, from 11:00 a.m.–12:45 p.m. Central Time on the Exhibition Floor of the Colorado Convention Center in Denver.

“This new study provides scientific evidence that explains why Avenova is so effective in the management of these conditions.”

The study compared the ability of six of the most widely used commercial eyelid treatments to neutralize the bacterial enzyme lipase, which is a major cause of blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction. Of all the treatments tested, only Avenova was able to completely inactivate the bacterial lipase. All other treatments, including baby shampoo and products with tea tree oil, had only “minimal effect,” the study found.

“These are dramatic and important results,” said Dr. Epstein. “We know that bacterial lipase degrades meibum, which is crucial for stabilizing tears and preventing dry eye. Until the development of Avenova, eye care professionals had no effective method that had been shown in laboratory testing to inactivate the enzyme or remove the bacterial populations. Our study results indicate that Avenova represents a major advancement in the management of these conditions.”

Dr. Epstein also described the increase in incidence of dry eye and the vital need to treat meibomian gland dysfunction in a talk at the recent Southeastern Congress of Optometry International (SECO) meeting.

Avenova is potent but safe. It is the only lid & lash cleanser to contain Neutrox^™, NovaBay’s pure hypochlorous acid, which mimics a naturally occurring substance produced by white blood cells to fight microbial invaders.

“Many doctors have already reported that Avenova is the first step in successfully bringing relief to their patients with blepharitis and meibomian gland dysfunction,” said Ron Najafi, Ph.D., President and CEO of NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, the biopharmaceutical company commercializing and developing non-antibiotic antimicrobial products for the global eye care market. “This new study provides scientific evidence that explains why Avenova is so effective in the management of these conditions.”

About Phoenix Eye Care

Phoenix Eye Care and the Dry Eye Center of Arizona are a state-of-the-art primary eye care office with special focus on dry eye and ocular surface disease. Drs. Arthur Epstein and Shannon Steinhauser have gained international reputations for excellence in clinical care and are noted lecturers, having educated colleagues throughout the US and in more than 50 countries around the world. Their primary focus is providing exceptional care for even the most complex eye problems.

About Avenova

Avenova^* is the only eye care product to contain Neutrox^™, NovaBay’s proprietary, pure hypochlorous acid (HOCl) with all the bleach (sodium hypochlorite) impurities removed. HOCl is a naturally occurring substance produced by white blood cells to fight microbial invaders. Laboratory tests show it has potent antimicrobial activity and yet is non-toxic to normal healthy human cells. Neutrox also neutralizes bacterial toxins in vitro. Avenova is uniquely suited for daily use by the millions of Americans who suffer from chronic eye conditions like blepharitis and dry eye. It is the only such product designed for continuous daily eyelid hygiene.

About NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.: Going Beyond Antibiotics^®

NovaBay Pharmaceuticals is a biopharmaceutical company focusing on commercializing and developing its non-antibiotic anti-infective products to address the unmet therapeutic needs of the global, topical anti-infective market with its two distinct product categories: the NEUTROX^™ Family of Products, including AVENOVA^™ for the eye care market and NEUTROPHASE^® for wound care, which was initially cleared by the FDA, and CELLERX^™ for the dermatology market; and its AGANOCIDE^® compounds, led by AURICLOSENE^™. NovaBay is partnered in the U.S. and around the globe with: PBE, Inc. (USA), IHT, Inc. (USA), Galderma (France), Virbac (France), China Pioneer Pharma (China and Southeast Asia), Shin Poong Pharmaceuticals (South Korea), Biopharm (North Africa and Middle East), Sarmedic Ltd (Israel) and Alpha Pharma LLC (Ukraine).

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements.” These statements are based on management’s current expectations and involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from those set forth in the statements. The forward-looking statements may include statements regarding product efficacy and commercial potential. No forward-looking statement can be guaranteed and actual results may differ materially from those projected. Other risks relating to the company and its products, including risks that could cause results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements in this press release, are detailed in NovaBay’s latest Form 10-K and Form 10-Q filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, especially under the heading “Risk Factors.” NovaBay undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

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