BioVex Inc, a private biotechnology company developing new generation biologics for the treatment of cancer and prevention of infectious disease, announced that the first subject had been dosed in the phase-1 study of its live attenuated genital herpes vaccine, ImmunoVEXHSV2. The phase-1 study is an open label ascending dose trial, assessing safety and immune response in healthy volunteers. The study is taking place in the UK at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital in London and will involve up to 42 already identified subjects. The principle investigator is Dr Simon Barton.

"Developing an effective vaccine against genital herpes has historically proved challenging. ImmunoVEX is a rationally designed live attenuated vaccine specifically constructed to address the limitations of previous vaccines. We believe our vaccine is built on sound science, providing a solid basis upon which to anticipate success in the clinic. We look forward to evaluating the phase-1 data in late 2010 and based on positive outcomes, moving ImmunoVEX into later stage efficacy trials soon thereafter," said Dr Robert Coffin, founder & CTO for BioVex.

"Genital herpes is an endemic disease which causes untold physical and emotional suffering. Treatments for those with frequent recurrences are inadequate, and no prophylactic vaccine candidate so far tested has proved sufficiently effective for widespread use. The causative agent of genital herpes, herpes simplex virus 2, is therefore a very important target for vaccine development, both from a preventive and therapeutic perspective," said Dr Simon Barton of the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London.

Marian Nicholson, director of the Herpes Viruses Association commented "We have been keeping an eye on the progress of ImmunoVEXHSV2 for a while and are looking forward to knowing if this vaccine shows promise in the clinic as a protection for people who have not caught the virus and potentially as a therapy for people with frequent outbreaks of herpes simplex type 2.”

ImmunoVEXHSV2 is based on a proprietary engineered form of the causative agent of genital herpes, HSV-2, from which genes that collectively interfere with the functions of immune system have been deleted.

BioVex is a privately held biotechnology company based in Woburn, Massachusetts where it also has an operational launch grade manufacturing facility.