NovaBay Pharmaceuticals, Inc.’s Avenova Featured In Ophthalmology Management

The RX Perspective feature in Ophthalmology Management reports that NovaBay’s laboratory studies show “Avenova has no toxicity but in solution kills the types of eyelid bacteria that are present in dry eye or blepharitis patients”

EMERYVILLE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--NovaBay^® Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (NYSE MKT:NBY), a biopharmaceutical company focusing on the development and commercialization of its non-antibiotic anti-infective products for the global eye care market, today announced that Avenova^™, the company’s eyelid cleanser, has been featured in an article in the March issue of Ophthalmology Management.

“It [Avenova] has helped a much higher percentage of blepharitis patients respond to treatment”

In the RX Perspective column, contributing editor Rebecca Hanlon quoted four leading ophthalmologists about the benefits of Avenova and the advances it brings to eye care. Terrence O’Brien, MD, of Bascom Palmer Eye Institute in Miami, Fla., for instance, said that Avenova is causing a paradigm shift in our thinking about the management of blepharitis.

O’Brien added that blepharitis has been increasingly difficult to treat using the traditional approach of antibiotics because of the resistance the body builds against these drugs. “In vitro testing shows that Avenova in solution reduces the populations of bacteria that cause blepharitis,” he explained.

“It [Avenova] has helped a much higher percentage of blepharitis patients respond to treatment,” added Steven Rosenfeld, MD, of Delray Eye Associates in Delray Beach, Fla. “They are feeling better, they are seeing better and it makes for happier patients.”

The article also describes how to use Avenova. Simply spray the product on a cotton pad, and then wipe the eyelids with the pad, performing the procedure once in the morning and once at night. “It works,” said Ivan Mac, MD, of Metrolina Eye Associates in Monroe, N.C. in the article. “We’re finding a lot of patients want to stay on [Avenova] because their eyelids feel clean and comfortable,” he said. “It’s becoming a long-term therapy for a lot of patients.”

Avenova works because it contains Neutrox™, NovaBay’s proprietary pure hypochlorous acid (HOCl), the same anti-microbial chemical found in white blood cells. HOCl in the body "…helps to kill microbial invaders and neutralize bacterial toxins,” the article explained.

Millions of patients with dry eye and blepharitis may be just the first beneficiaries, suggested Dr. Rosenfeld. “I think we’ve only touched the tip of the iceberg for the potential application of this product,” he said.

About Avenova

Avenova^* is the only eye care product to contain Neutrox, NovaBay’s proprietary, pure hypochlorous acid (HOCl) without any bleach (sodium hypochlorite) impurities. HOCl is a naturally occurring substance produced by white blood cells to fight microbial invaders. In solution, tests show it has potent antimicrobial activity and yet is non-toxic to mammalian cells. Neutrox neutralizes bacterial inflammatory 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 focused 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 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 African and Middle East), Sarmedic Ltd (Israel) and Alpha Pharma LLC (Ukraine).

^*Avenova Skin and Wound Cleanser is intended for use under the supervision of healthcare professionals for cleansing and removal of foreign material, including microorganisms and debris from wounds, and for moistening absorbent wound dressings and cleaning minor cuts, minor burns, superficial abrasions, and minor irritations of the skin. It is also intended for moistening and debriding acute and chronic dermal lesions, such as Stage I to IV pressure ulcers, stasis ulcers, leg ulcers, diabetic foot ulcers, post surgical wounds, first and second degree burns, and grafted and donor sites.

Forward-looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements.” The forward-looking statements include statements regarding Avenova’s clinical effectiveness and market acceptance. All statements in this news release 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. 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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