For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Email: info@herpescureadvocacy.com
P: 267-797-7139
Philadelphia, PA – Herpes Cure Advocacy has learned about the outcome of GSK’s trial of GSK3943104 which has failed to meet the study’s primary efficacy objective. As a result, this trial will not progress to Phase III studies.
While we are disappointed at this news, one thing is clear; there is an urgent and unmet need for better therapeutics for herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 infections. It is important to note that most clinical trials fail despite very good science or our staunch optimism.
We agree with the GSK statement that “given the unmet medical need and burden associated with genital herpes, innovation in this area is still needed” and encourage GSK investors and leadership to stay the course with their dedication to and expertise in herpesviruses. We also encourage private industry leaders to follow the leadership of GSK, Moderna, BioNtech, Assembly Biosciences (Gilead) and others to invest in this therapeutic area. The pipeline is very limited and the need is great.
This news demonstrates the need for more research to benefit the majority of the world’s population who are living with herpes. We need more effective therapies for HSV, and it is our hope that with more dedicated funding we may, finally, improve upon the standard of care. We also need a vaccine to prevent new infections, but very few candidates exist. The challenge is formidable; the efforts must match it.
Herpes Cure Advocacy is grateful to the GSK team and dedicated scientists for doing the hard work of developing a new therapeutic vaccine and leading a global clinical trial. We need and appreciate public health heroes like them who inspire us to lead the charge. We remain cautiously optimistic that the clinical trial results will still produce valuable scientific learnings and that we may see further efforts from GSK to develop another vaccine targeting HSV in the future.
Please join us in charting the course towards a cure. And please donate to Herpes Cure Advocacy today as we multiply our efforts to promote more scientific advancement in this field of research. We are the only patient advocacy organization globally working to advance the field towards a cure and better therapies for HSV. And we need leadership, partners and resources to continue to move forward.
Onward,
Herpes Cure Advocacy Board of Directors
Dr. Jeffrey Klausner Board President
Dr. Gary Richwald Board Vice President
Ms. Nicole Hanley Board Treasurer
Dr. Simon Delagrave
Dr. Che Harris
Ms. Karly Kern
Dr. Luis Schang
Disclosure: Herpes Cure Advocacy is partially funded by GSK.