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Theralase(R) Demonstrates Effective Treatment Of Herpes

Theralase® Technologies Inc. ("Theralase®" or the "Company") (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light, radiation, sound and/or drug-activated small molecules and their formulations, intended for the safe and effective destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses, is pleased to announce that the previous University of Manitoba research has now been validated, proving that RuvidarTM is safe and effective in the inactivation of Herpes Simplex Virus, Type 1 ("HSV-1") in an animal model.

Herpes Simplex Virus ("HSV"), known as herpes, is a common infection that can cause painful blisters or ulcers. It primarily spreads by skin-to-skin contact. It is treatable but not curable.1

There are two types of HSV: 1

Type 1 ("HSV-1") mostly spreads by oral contact and causes infections in or around the mouth (oral herpes or cold sores). It can also cause genital herpes. Most adults are infected with HSV-1.

Type 2 ("HSV-2") spreads by sexual contact and causes genital herpes.

An estimated 3.8 billion people under age 50 (64%) globally have HSV-1, the main cause of oral herpes. An estimated 520 million people aged 15 to 49 (13%) globally have HSV-2, the main cause of genital herpes. 1

The global HSV treatment market size was estimated at $USD 2.5 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow at a Compound Annual Growth Rate ("CAGR") of 8.1% from 2024 to 2030.

The market growth can be attributed to the growing concerns over HSV infection, including, oral and genital herpes. Moreover, the infection is highly contagious, spreading via saliva, vaginal secretion or semen and is acquired unknowingly. These factors highlight the increasing need for treatment throughout the projected period.2

North America accounted for the largest market share of 32.4% in 2023, which can be attributed to higher consumption of branded herpes drugs, escalating healthcare expenditure, increasing launch of generics and favorable reimbursement policies.2

The HSV-1 lifecycle begins upon contact with mucosal surfaces and it is in this niche, where the virus actively replicates inducing local lesion formation. The virus then enters local sensory nerve endings and migrates back to neuronal cell bodies in the peripheral nervous system. It is in this location where the virus enters into a latent, non-replicative stage until later reactivation.3

The ability of HSV-1 to infect and establish latency in neurons allows for lifelong infection and can provide the virus with access to other sites such as the central nervous system. Recent research has implicated HSV-1 infection with the development of disease later in life, including Parkinson's and Alzheimer's diseases.4,5

Similarly, reactivation of HSV-1 in autonomic nerves that innervate coronary arteries may introduce lytic virus to vascular endothelial cells, causing local injury, thrombosis and arteriosclerosis, as well as potentially contributing to various other cardiovascular disorders.6,7

Evidence has also accumulated indicating that, in addition, HSV may be a cause of human cancers.8

Despite longstanding attempts at therapy and prevention, HSV remains among the most prevalent human infectious viral pathogens; therefore, it's imperative to keep HSV from replicating by implementing advanced vaccines and more effective drugs to combat and defeat this pervasive scourge to the human race.

In the latest Theralase® research, Balb/C mice were infected with human HSV-1 virus.

On day 6 post-infection, 20 uL of 1% Ruvidar® solution was applied topically over the area of well-developed lesions, once daily for 4 days.

Four days of Ruvidar® treatment resulted in complete healing of the HSV-1 cutaneous lesions.

Figure 1. Four days of Ruvidar® treatment in Balb/C mice with HSV-1 infected cutaneous lesions

The results support the safety and efficacy of topically applied non-light activated Ruvidar® against cutaneous HSV-1 lesions in a mouse model.

Kevin Coombs, B.A., M.A., Ph.D., professor of medical microbiology and infectious diseases at the Max Rady College of Medicine, University of Manitoba (retired) stated, "I am delighted that Theralase® researchers were able to successfully translate my team's cellular inactivation of HSV into a safe and effective therapy in an animal model. Their research may prove to be instrumental in the development of a clinical program that will have real world impacts on the lives of billions of people infected with this prolific disease."

Arkady Mandel, M.D., Ph.D., D.Sc., Chief Scientific Officer, Theralase® stated, "I am excited by the ground-breaking results of our first animal experiments in which we successfully treated laboratory mice with HSV-1. Herpes is an extremely difficult disease to treat, as it prefers to reside inactive in nerve cells and then reawaken due to various stimuli (i.E., illness, fever, sun exposure, menstrual period, injury, emotional stress or surgery) to induce painful and unsightly skin lesions. It has also been linked with the development of chronic disease, such as cardiovascular disorders and cancer. Many people living with HSV are concerned about the risk of transmitting the disease to other people. Our goal, as we advance into clinical development, is to safely and effectively treat people with HSV infections, so that they are less self-conscious of outbreaks and the risk of transmitting the virus to another person. I hope this research lays the groundwork for Theralase® to provide therapy to safely and effectively treat herpes."

Roger DuMoulin-White, B.Sc., P.Eng, Pro.Dir., President and Chief Executive Officer, Theralase® stated, "Based on the success of Theralase®'s latest research, Theralase® plans to develop a vaccine and therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of HSV, with clinical development to commence thereafter."

References:

1Herpes simplex virus

2 Herpes Simplex Virus Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Type (HSV-1, HSV-2), By Drug (Acyclovir, Valacyclovir, Famciclovir), By Vaccine (Simplirix, Others), By Route of Administration, By End-use, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2024 - 2030

Roizman B, Knipe DM, Whitley R. Herpes Simplex Viruses. 6th ed. In: Knipe DM, Howley PM, editors. Fields Virology. 6th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2013. Pp. 1823-1897.

Mangold CA, Szpara ML. Persistent infection with herpes simplex virus 1 and Alzheimer's disease-a call to study how variability in both virus and host may impact disease. Viruses. 2019;11: 966. Pmid:31635156.

Benditt EP, Barrett T, McDougall JK. Viruses in the etiology of atherosclerosis. Proc Natl Acad Sci. 1983;80: 6386-6389. Pmid:6312457.

https://pubmed.Ncbi.Nlm.Nih.Gov/6300393/

Phelps A, Gates AJ, Eastaugh L, Hillier M, Ulaeto DO. Comparative Efficacy of Intramuscular and Scarification Routes of Administration of Live Smallpox Vaccine in a Murine Challenge Model. Vaccine. 2017 Jul 5;35(31):3889-3896. Doi: 10.1016/j.Vaccine.2017.05.058. Epub 2017 Jun 9.

Shchelkunov SN, Sergeev AA, Pyankov SA, Titova KA, Yakubitskiy SN. Smallpox vaccination in a mouse model. Vavilovskii Zhurnal Genet Selektsii. 2023 Oct;27(6):712-718. Doi: 10.18699/VJGB-23-82.

About Theralase® Technologies Inc.:

Theralase® is a clinical stage pharmaceutical company dedicated to the research and development of light, radiation, sound and/or drug-activated small molecule compounds, their associated drug formulations and the light systems that activate them, with a primary objective of efficacy and a secondary objective of safety in the destruction of various cancers, bacteria and viruses.

Additional information is available at www.Theralase.Com and www.Sedarplus.Ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements:

This news release contains Forward-Looking Statements ("FLS") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Such statements include; but, are not limited to statements regarding the Company's proposed development plans with respect to small molecules and their drug formulations. FLS may be identified by the use of the words "may, "should", "will", "anticipates", "believes", "plans", "expects", "estimate", "potential for" and similar expressions; including, statements related to the current expectations of the Company's management regarding future research, development and commercialization of the Company's small molecules; their drug formulations; preclinical research; clinical studies and regulatory approvals.

These statements involve significant risks, uncertainties and assumptions; including, the ability of the Company to fund and secure the regulatory approvals to successfully complete various clinical studies in a timely fashion and implement its development plans. Other risks include: the ability of the Company to successfully commercialize its small molecule and drug formulations; the risk that access to sufficient capital to fund the Company's operations may not be available on terms that are commercially favorable to the Company or at all; the risk that the Company's small molecule and drug formulations may not be effective against the diseases tested in its clinical studies; the risk that the Company fails to comply with the terms of license agreements with third parties and as a result loses the right to use key intellectual property in its business; the Company's ability to protect its intellectual property; the timing and success of submission, acceptance and approval of regulatory filings. Many of these factors that will determine actual results are beyond the Company's ability to control or predict.

Readers should not unduly rely on these FLS, which are not a guarantee of future performance. There can be no assurance that FLS will prove to be accurate as such FLS involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause actual results or future events to differ materially from the FLS.

Although the FLS contained in the press release are based upon what management currently believes to be reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure prospective investors that actual results, performance or achievements will be consistent with these FLS.

All FLS are made as of the date hereof and are subject to change. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update such FLS.

For investor information on the Company, please feel to reach out Investor Inquiries - Theralase Technologies.

For More Information:

1.866.THE.LASE (843-5273)416.699.LASE (5273)www.Theralase.Com

Kristina Hachey, CPAChief Financial Officer X 224khachey@theralase.Com

SOURCE: Theralase Technologies, Inc.

Intranasal Herpes Infection May Produce Neurobehavioral Symptoms

Herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) is commonly known for causing blisters and sores. But in some cases, the virus can migrate to the eye or nervous system, causing severe, chronic symptoms.

Now, a study from University of Illinois Chicago researchers finds that herpes infection through the nose can lead to anxiety, motor impairment and cognitive issues. The research is the first to show that, by exploiting a cellular enzyme, the virus can produce behavioral symptoms. The finding emphasizes the need for prevention and treatment of a virus carried by billions of people worldwide.

The research, published in mBio, is the latest from the College of Medicine group led by Deepak Shukla, the Marion H. Schenk Esq. Professor in Ophthalmology for Research of the Aging Eye and UIC professor of microbiology and immunology.

Shukla's laboratory previously studied how the virus spreads to the eye and brain and can lead to blindness, encephalitis and other conditions. The new research looked at intranasal infection, where viral particles enter the body through the nose and have more direct access to the nervous system.

"If an infected individual is shedding virus via tears, it could reach the nasal cavity, where it could go more directly to the brain," Shukla said. "I think it's underdiagnosed and understudied, but the neurological consequences, we believe, are much more severe than you would normally see with fever blisters or ocular infection."

In animal experiments, the researchers observed high levels of inflammation and neuronal damage just days after HSV-1 infection. For several months after -- equivalent to decades of life in humans -- infected animals performed more poorly on tests of motor coordination and memory and exhibited more anxiety-like behavior when compared to controls.

"There is definitely nerve damage if you take the intranasal route, and the effects are long-term, which is alarming," Shukla said.

The researchers also studied heparanase, a cellular enzyme the group previously studied for its role in HSV-1 reinfection and long-term effects. Animals with a deactivated gene for heparanase did not show the same neurobehavioral deficits after infection as control animals. That suggests the enzyme mediates some of the virus' damaging effects in the brain.

"These insights open the door to potential therapeutic approaches to mitigate the effects of neuroinflammation and prevent long-term brain injury caused by viral infections," said Hemant Borase, a UIC postdoctoral researcher and first author of the study.

Herpes simplex virus-1 is extremely common. The World Health Organization estimates that nearly two-thirds of the global population carry the virus.

"The virus reactivates throughout life; it's a lifelong infection" said Chandrashekhar Patil, research assistant professor in the College of Medicine and co-author of the paper. "So, I think this awareness will be really important among the large population which is carrying this virus."

Tibor Valyi-Nagy, professor of pathology, is also a co-author of the paper. The study was funded by grants from the National Institutes of Health.

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