Vaccine may provide a 'functional cure' for herpes

Rational Vaccines, a biotechnology company, have finished its Phase I clinical trial of the Theravax vaccine for patients with herpes simplex virus 1 and 2 (HSV-1, HSV-2). Results found that this medication may be a “functional cure” for both diseases.

One in six people between 14 and 49 years old have genital herpes, and the only treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration are antiviral drugs that have failed to stop the spread of the disease. The need for a new and effective treatment is greatly needed.

"Doctors have been trying to manage genital herpes for 30 years with acyclovir-like antiviral drugs, but the approach has not stopped the spread of herpes," said William Halford, PhD, head researcher and chief science officer of Rational Vaccines. "More than one million people per week continue to be newly infected with HSV-1 or HSV-2. It is time to offer herpes sufferers a 21^st century solution with the potential to not only better treat herpes but to simply stop the spread of the disease."

Results indicated that the Theravax vaccine was effective in easing the symptoms of participants.  All 17 individuals who received the entire three shot vaccination series had reduced symptoms. Overall, patients reported a 3.2-fold reduction in the number of herpes-symptomatic days per month when compared to taking antiviral drugs.

"This is a very exciting time when it comes to medical innovations. Dr. Halford has created a safe and effective vaccine. Eradicating the HSV pandemic in our lifetime is within our grasp," said Agustin Fernandez III, CEO of Rational Vaccines. "Halford's research and our company's recent clinical trial have opened the door to a better world where herpes no longer has to be suffered in silence but can be treated and prevented."