Acyclovir

There is currently no cure for genital herpes, though medication can control the infection. Image credit: Shutterstock / Richard Juilliart. A World Health Organization (WHO) director has called for “better prevention and treatment options” after the agency released new estimates of genital herpes prevalence. Dr Meg Doherty, director of global HIV, hepatitis and sexually transmitted infections programmes, has said that more needs to be done, not only to reduce the transmission of genital herpes but said this will also reduce the transmission of HIV. “While most people with a genital herpes infection experience few symptoms, with so many infections genital herpes still causes pain and distress for millions globally and strains already overburdened health systems,” said Dr Doherty. Updated figures show that around 846 million aged between 15 and 49 years are living with the infection. This total translates to more than one in five in this age group globally living with the disease, as per a WHO 11 December press release. Genital herpes is caused by two types of herpes simplex virus (HSV) – HSV-1 and HSV-2. WHO stated that HSV-2 is more serious from a public health perspective since it is more likely to cause recurrent outbreaks, along with a higher chance of contracting human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Currently, there is no cure for genital herpes – although there are approved antivirals that relieve symptoms. In the US, this includes Novartis ’ Famvir (famciclovir), GSK ’s Valtrex (valacyclovir), and acyclovir. Although the antivirals do not remove the virus from the body, they slow the growth of herpes, making it easier for the immune system to control the infection and reduce the frequency of outbreaks. Valtrex and Famvir were approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for genital herpes in 2003 and 2006 respectively. Since then, there has been little change in available treatments. “Not enough has been done to address this common infection,” said Dr Sami Gottlieb, a medical officer within WHO’s Department of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Research, who also served as author of the report detailing the updated infection figures. “Expanded research and investment in developing new herpes vaccines and therapies, and their equitable use, could play a critical role in improving quality of life for people around the world,” Dr Gottlieb added. An HSV vaccine could come courtesy of Moderna or BioNTech , who have candidates in clinical trials. Moderna’s therapeutic candidate, an mRNA vaccine called mRNA-1608 is currently in Phase II development while BioNTech’s prophylactic candidate, also mRNA-based BNT-163, is in Phase I development. Developing a vaccine that is effective against HSV has proved difficult, however. A setback occurred in September this year when GSK announced it was discontinuing its vaccine candidate following a Phase I/II failure. Although deemed safe, the vaccine lacked efficacy in reducing lesions in patients with recurrent genital herpes.

WUPPERTAL, Germany--( BUSINESS WIRE )-- AiCuris Anti-infective Cures AG announced today the appointment of Cynthia Wat, MD as Chief Medical Officer, effective July 1, 2024. Dr. Wat is a highly accomplished pharmaceutical physician with over 25 years of experience in delivering novel treatments to patients with infectious diseases. Her proven track record of designing and executing successful clinical development strategies from early to late-stage development and through market licensure, will benefit the company as it prepares to advance its Phase 3 product candidate pritelivir towards market authorization. Pritelivir is AiCuris’ innovative therapeutic candidate inhibiting HSV replication which is currently being evaluated in a pivotal Phase 3 clinical trial for the treatment of acyclovir-resistant HSV infections in immunocompromised patients. As part of her role, Dr. Wat will be responsible for the management and global development of AiCuris' clinical pipeline of innovative therapeutic candidates aiming to improve the lives of immune compromised patients. AiCuris also provided an update on further leadership team changes. Holger Zimmermann, PhD, has stepped down from his position as Chief Research and Development Officer to pursue other opportunities. Dr. Zimmermann was part of the spin-out in 2006 which became AiCuris, served as AiCuris CEO from 2015 to April 2023 and was key contributor in the discovery and development of letermovir which was out-licensed to MSD in 2012 and is currently marketed as PREVYMIS ® . “As we complete patient enrollment in our pivotal Phase 3 study with pritelivir in the first half of 2025, Cynthia’s extensive experience in product filing and negotiating with global health authorities will be vital to rapidly and successfully position our lead candidate for commercialization,” said Larry Edwards, CEO of AiCuris . “I am looking forward to working with Cynthia as we continue to execute on our mission of providing multiple therapeutic solutions for immunocompromised patients in a more efficient and effective manner. On behalf of the AiCuris team, I also would like to sincerely thank Holger for his invaluable support since the inception of the company and his contributions over the years. We wish him all the best for his future endeavors.” “Joining AiCuris presents a unique opportunity to rapidly and effectively deliver innovative therapies to immunocompromised individuals. The company is one of the few private biotech companies that successfully developed a commercial-stage drug that is improving the lives of thousands of seriously ill patients. Its differentiated pipeline candidates hold the potential to deliver substantial value and life-saving treatments to vulnerable patient populations where simple infections can pose serious threats. I am eager to contribute to these efforts together with the AiCuris team and to expedite the path toward product approval, ensuring that critical medical needs are met and that vulnerable patients receive the care they urgently require,” added Cynthia Wat, MD . Cynthia Wat joins AiCuris from her most recent position as a Pharmaceutical Consultant and Director at ID Pharma Consultancy Ltd. With more than 25 years of extensive global drug development experience, she has held leadership and managerial roles for licensed products Fuzeon ® , Pegasys ® , and Tamiflu ® at Roche that included pivotal registration trials and multiple filing activities. As a recognized expert in infectious diseases and hepatitis, Dr. Wat has a proven track record for creating and successfully implementing novel clinical trial designs and clinical development strategies for chronic Hepatitis B, COVID-19, and other respiratory viruses and is experienced in a broad range of modalities, small molecules, biologics, RNA therapeutics including antisense oligonucleotides and predictive biomarker research. Additionally, she is a strong collaborator with health authorities, and has provided recommendations to NICE and other regulators in her role at the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine. Dr. Wat holds a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School, Imperial College, London, a Diploma in Pharmaceutical Medicine from the Faculty of Pharmaceutical Medicine (FPM) and is a Member of the Royal College of Physicians (MRCP). About AiCuris AiCuris is meeting the needs of the growing population of immunocompromised people who require precise therapies to effectively treat infection. Our flagship product, PREVYMIS ® , marketed by our partner MSD, prevents CMV in a defined group of transplant recipients. Our pivotal Phase 3 candidate pritelivir aims to address recurrent and resistant HSV infections in a broad population of patients with weakened immune systems. For immunocompromised people, an otherwise manageable infection can mean life or death. AiCuris, with its expertise and growing pipeline, is committed to providing therapeutic solutions for them now and in the future.