Herpes DNA vaccine

Dec 22 (Reuters) – Vical Inc (VICL.O) said it and the University of Washington received a U.S. patent covering DNA vaccines for a type of sexually transmitted virus, which is the leading cause of genital herpes.

Vical is collaborating with the University of Washington School of Medicine and the University of Texas Medical Branch on the preclinical development of a vaccine for herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2), the biopharmaceutical company said in a statement.

The vaccine will be designed to reduce or eliminate periodic viral flare-ups and the associated viral shedding and transmission in people infected with HSV-2, it said.

The vaccine will be evaluated with Vical’s Vaxfectin adjuvant. An adjuvant is an ingredient that boosts the immune system response, which means that less active ingredient is needed in each dose.

Shares of the company rose 4 percent to $3.15 in premarket trade. They closed at $3.04 Monday on Nasdaq.

(Reporting by Shailesh Kuber in Bangalore; Editing by Aradhana Aravindan)

DNAWellnessinfo.com Resource:  http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSGE5BL0DA20091222