Pritelivir for herpes simplex virus infection

Pritelivir is in development for the treatment of aciclovir-resistant herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections in immunocompromised adult patients. HSV is a virus that can be split into two subtypes: HSV-1 (which mainly produces cold sores around the mouth or lips) and HSV-2 (which is commonly associated with genital herpes. Once infected, HSV stays in the body for life. In immunocompromised patients HSV disease outbreaks are more frequent and difficult to treat. Many immunocompromised patients become refractory (fail to respond) to current licensed treatments (such as aciclovir) and sometimes their virus demonstrates resistance to the treatment. Moreover, some of the current treatments have significant safety and tolerability issues associated with them, limiting efficacy outcomes for the individuals.