Vical Announces Initiation of Phase 1/2 Trial of a Therapeutic HSV-2 Vaccine for Genital Herpes

Vical Incorporated VICL today announced the initiation of its Phase 1/2 trial of the company's Vaxfectin™-formulated therapeutic vaccine for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), a cause of genital herpes, in approximately 156 subjects. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial will evaluate safety, tolerability and efficacy in otherwise healthy HSV-2- infected patients aged 18 to 50 years at six key U.S. clinical sites. "The initiation of this trial represents another milestone for Vical," said Larry Smith, Vical's Vice President of Vaccine Research. "Our trial is designed to demonstrate reductions in the rate of HSV-2 that is shed from individuals with symptomatic genital herpes. A therapeutic vaccine may be the ideal approach for reducing viral shedding because of the ability to harness the immune system to control HSV-2, potentially freeing subjects from daily, lifelong antiviral drug usage. This Phase 1/2 trial is a vital step towards developing a product that not only limits viral shedding but may also reduce both symptomatic genital herpes lesions as well as virus transmission." HSV-2 is a sexually transmitted virus which is the leading cause of recurrent genital herpes. Approximately one out of every six individuals aged 15 to 49 years See full press release