Acyclovir News and Research

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Acyclovir is a synthetic analog of the purine nucleoside, guanosine, with potent antiviral activity against herpes simplex viruses type 1 and 2, varicella-zoster virus and other viruses. After conversion in vivo to the active metabolite acyclovir triphosphate, acyclovir competitively inhibits viral DNA polymerase, incorporates into and terminates the growing viral DNA chain, and inactivates viral DNA polymerase. The greater antiviral activity of acyclovir against HSV compared to VZV is due to its more efficient phosphorylation by the thymidine kinase of HSV.

A new strategy to prevent herpes virus infections

Researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University have discovered a novel strategy for preventing infections due to the highly common herpes simplex viruses, the microbes responsible for causing genital herpes (herpes simplex virus 2) and cold sores (herpes simplex virus 1).

26 Mar 2013

New NIAID grant to support development of topical microbicide gel for HIV and HSV-2 infections

A new grant from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) will support the development of a topical microbicide gel for drug delivery. The innovative gel formulation will be a combination therapy against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infections in women.

25 Jul 2012

Study confirms condom use reduces risk of HIV infection by 78%

The level of HIV-1 in the blood of an HIV-infected partner is the single most important factor influencing risk of sexual transmission to an uninfected partner, according to a multinational study of heterosexual couples in sub-Saharan Africa.

12 Jan 2012

HSV1 drugs could slow progression of Alzheimer's disease

Antiviral drugs used to target the herpes virus could be effective at slowing the progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD), a new study shows.

From The University of Manchester 18 Oct 2011

Valeant to acquire rights relating to Elidel and Xerese from Meda

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International, Inc. announced today that its subsidiary, Valeant International SRL (VIB), has signed an agreement to acquire rights to both Elidel and Xerese from Meda, an international specialty pharmaceutical company for the U.S., Canada and Mexico.

30 Jun 2011

Valeant, Meda partner for life cycle opportunities for Elidel and Xerese

Meda and Valeant have entered into a collaboration agreement. Meda has out-licensed exclusive rights for Elidel and Xerese to Valeant for the U.S., Canada and Mexico. The parties will collaborate on life cycle opportunities for both products.

30 Jun 2011

African genital herpes strains are more infectious than the U.S. virus

Strains of genital herpes in Africa are far more virulent than those in the United States, researchers at Harvard Medical School report, a striking insight into a common disease with important implications for preventing HIV transmission in a region staggered by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.

15 Apr 2011

Meda launches Medivir's cold sore treatment Xerese in the U.S.

Medivir AB, the emerging research-based specialty pharmaceutical company focused on infectious diseases, today announces that the Company's commercialization partner, Meda AB, has launched Medivir's unique cold sore treatment Xerese in the United States.

1 Mar 2011

Preclinical trial shows Chimerix’s CMX001 inhibits HSV replication

Chimerix, Inc., a pharmaceutical company developing orally-available antiviral therapeutics, today announced that data demonstrating preclinical efficacy of Chimerix's lead antiviral compound CMX001 against herpes simplex virus (HSV) as well as its ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier was published in the November 15, 2010 issue of The Journal of Infectious Diseases.

23 Nov 2010

APP Drug Hotline to assist healthcare professionals with shortage issues

APP Pharmaceuticals, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Fresenius Kabi Pharmaceuticals Holding, Inc., announced today that it will launch the APP Drug Hotline on Wednesday, November 10, 2010. The APP Drug Hotline has been established to assist healthcare professionals with critical drug shortage issues.

7 Nov 2010

New American Therapeutics acquires U.S. rights to market Denavir drug

New American Therapeutics, Inc., announced today that it acquired all U.S. rights to manufacture, market and sell the antiviral topical drug Denavir owned by Novartis.

4 Oct 2010

BioAlliance Pharma receives European patent for acyclovir Lauriad tablets for recurrent herpes labialis

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the supportive care and treatment of cancer patients, today announced the grant of a European patent protecting its product acyclovir Lauriad.

8 Sep 2010

FDA notification confirms acyclovir Lauriad for oro-facial herpes labialis

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the supportive care and treatment of cancer patients, today announces that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) considers the positive results of the pivotal phase III study with acyclovir Lauriad acceptable to submit a 505(b)(2) New Drug Application of the product in the United States.

26 Aug 2010

Study: No association between first-trimester exposure to antiherpetic antiviral drugs and major birth defects

An analysis of data from Denmark finds no associated increased risk of major birth defects for mothers who were exposed during the first trimester of pregnancy to the antiviral drugs acyclovir, valacyclovir, and famciclovir, often used to treat herpes simplex and herpes zoster infections, according to a study in the August 25 issue of JAMA.

25 Aug 2010

BioAlliance Pharma presents abstracts on Loramyc, clonidine Lauriad at MASCC/ISOO 2010 symposium

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the supportive care and treatment of cancer patients, has presented 2 abstracts on Loramyc® and clonidine Lauriad® at the MASCC/ISOO 2010 International Symposium (Vancouver, June 24-26, 2010). These two products belong to the supportive care pipeline of BioAlliance Pharma.

29 Jun 2010

GSK, Medivir sign exclusive agreement for commercialization of Xerclear

GlaxoSmithKline and Medivir today announced an exclusive agreement for the commercialization of cold sore treatment, Xerclear (acyclovir and hydrocortisone) for non-prescription use (OTC) in key global markets. Xerclear is the first and only topical herpes labialis (cold sores) treatment clinically proven to help prevent cold sore lesions appearing.

23 Jun 2010

Meda AB's net sales for first-quarter 2010 decrease 14% to SEK 2,943M

After a strong Q4 in 2009, net sales decreased 14% in Q1 to SEK 2,943 million (3,437). Mainly currency effects but also increased competition for Astelin and Optivar reduced sales by more than SEK 400 million, compared with the same period last year.

5 May 2010

BioAlliance Pharma SA signs partnership agreement with Therabel Group

BioAlliance Pharma SA, a company dedicated to the treatment and supportive care of cancer and AIDS patients, announces today an exclusive partnership agreement with Therabel Group for the European commercialization rights of Loramyc® and Setofilm® including France and the associated French commercial structure to a newly established entity, Therabel Hôpital Pharma.

6 Apr 2010

Meda publishes 2009 year-end report

“The Meda Group expects to achieve sales of about SEK 13,000 million and an EBITDA of about SEK 4,200 million for full-year 2009.”

16 Feb 2010

Medivir, Meda announce agreement to commercialize Medivir’s cold sore product, Xerese

Medivir and Meda today announced an agreement for the commercialization of Medivir’s cold sore product which will be marketed in North America under the trade name Xerese™.

15 Feb 2010