The landscape for Herpes treatment and prevention is, while the are glimmers of hope, very ugly. There are no public health interventions to stop transmission and no accurate test to diagnose asymptomatic infection. The treatment pipeline is slim, improving – yet slim. And NIH is investing less than 10 million a year in clinical research for HSV with commercial viability.
Help advocate for federal investment for treatment and prevention of Herpes
Herpes Cure Advocacy is asking the federal government for 225+ million in the FY 2023 budget. To increase our chances of getting this federal funding – we need to show the American people want this!
Contact your elected reps at the links below. Call. Email. Better yet, ask them for a meeting. Have a meeting scheduled? Let us know. We’d love to join!
Sample email is here!
Senate
House
Here’s what we’re asking for specifically:
DHHS: HSV Strategic Plan Implementation Funds
In 2022, OASH has a $250,000 budget for a National Strategy and Strategic Plan for the treatment and prevention of HSV types 1 and 2. This was HCA big win in 2021! In 2023, we want to make sure they have funding to implement this plan.
NIH: Clinical research for HSV treatment
The NIH has a 30+ billion budget. Yet they are spending less than 10 million a year on translational research for HSV, or clinical research with intention of bringing a product to market. They have indicated Herpes treatment and vaccine are a priority. The funding strategy tells another story. We urgently need these funds for clinical research at NIH, with a focus on clinical research projects with commercial viability.
NIH: Interagency working group
NIH has 21 agencies focusing on different disease areas. Herpes is primarily addressed by NIAID with the Division of Microbiology and Infectious Diseases. It’s also neuropathic, impacts primarily women and minorities, is a recognized driver of HIV/AIDS, has mental health implications, and is being studied for association with Alzheimer’s Disease. This working group will bring together various NIH agencies that Herpes may impact, to approach treatment from an interdisciplinary perspective, and ensure a coordinated effort.
NIH: Clinical research on neurological complications
Herpes has a suspected association with Alzheimer’s Disease, and proven links to neurological complications such as encephalitis, meningitis, and Bells Palsy. Medical knowledge on neurological complications is not complete – these funds will support clinical research specifically to assess risk of potential known or unknown neurological complications as a result of the infection.
CDC: Interagency testing development working group
There is no accurate diagnostic test (that is commercial available or FDA-approved) to diagnose asymptomatic infection. Without one, the prevention strategy for Herpes is fundamentally flawed. This working group, led by CDC, will outline next steps for the advancement of HSV diagnostic tests.