Researchers, led by Dr. Harvey Friedman, from the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania are close to clinical trials testing a vaccine protecting against genital herpes. Phase I trials for this HSV vaccine candidate, that will test prevention of genital herpes in humans, are expected to begin in September 2022.
In 2019, UPenn first published news that a novel mRNA-based genital herpes vaccine had been developed that protected almost all animal subjects exposed to the virus in preclinical studies in Dr. Harvey Friedman’s lab.
This work is in partnership with BioNtech and Dr. Drew Weissman, creators of Pfizers Covid vaccine. Latest studies in mice by Dr Friedman have shown his vaccine candidate is effective at preventing genital infection caused by HSV-1. Additional studies from July 2020 and in October 2021 have also shown the same efficacy for HSV-2.
Dr. Friedman’s lab has indicated they are also doing preclinical testing on a therapeutic. Depending on results from the prophylactic vaccine, work on a therapeutic treatment to HSV-1 or HSV-2 may not be far behind. See recent video updates from Dr. Friedman provided from February 2021, and November 2021. Learn more on Dr. Friedman’s lab website here.
Want to help? Donate today to help advance Dr. Friedman’s work for the study of a therapeutic HSV treatment! Fundraising is underway, led by a Reddit group dedicated to dialogue on Herpes Cure Research.
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