Asian Scientist (Jul. 16, 2013) – A University of Queensland spin-off company is about to start clinical trials that could result in the prevention and treatment of genital herpes.
Herpes simplex virus (HSV-2) is the major cause of genital herpes. It affects hundreds of thousands of people, threatens newborn babies and is believed to contribute to the development of HIV.
Now, Coridon Pty Ltd will soon start a Phase I HSV-2 vaccine clinical trial in Brisbane, Australia.
It is hoped that the new technology could eventually prevent and cure HSV-2, and also lead to other effective vaccinations for incurable diseases such as HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that more than half a billion people aged 15-49 years are living with HSV-2 worldwide.
“HSV-2 genital herpes affects up to one in eight Australians, and there is currently no curative treatment,” said Professor Ian Frazer, who is the founder and CEO of Coridon. “The vaccine technology offers the potential of being both a preventative and therapeutic vaccine.”
The vaccine will be injected into the forearms of 20 healthy volunteers in a trial designed to demonstrate its safety and how well it is tolerated. The trial will also serve to determine the effective dose of the vaccine and test if it generates a robust immune response.
The Phase I clinical trial will be undertaken through Q-Pharm Pty Ltd’s clinical trial site at the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital.
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Source: University of Queensland; Photo: stevendepolo/Flickr.
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