The FDA has issued a license to Beach Tree Labs for an investigational new drug (IND) for the treatment of oral herpes to be progressed to Phases 1 and 2a. The active ingredient has also been approved as an IND targeting the influenza virus.
Around 80% of the population carries the herpes simplex virus that causes oral herpes, with around 20% of the population expressing symptoms as a cold sore. Herpes simplex II that causes genital herpes is less common but can be more severe, with around 25% of the population being infected.
Once infected with herpes, you have it for life. Some people will never have symptoms again after the first outbreak and others will be plagued with outbreaks for most of their lives. There are medications such as aciclovir, which can be used to suppress the symptoms or deal with outbreaks and the antiviral drugs available are very effective but any new medicinal weapons for our armoury are very welcome.