Provide Input on NIH Herpes Simplex Virus Strategic Plan

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NIAID, along with multiple other NIH institutes and centers, invites comments and input from stakeholders throughout the scientific research community and the general public on a Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Strategic Plan structured around four key strategic approaches detailed below:

Strategic Priorities

Priority 1: Improve fundamental knowledge of HSV biology, pathogenesis, and epidemiology

  • Enhance fundamental knowledge of HSV biology, including viral interactions with host cells and mechanism of replication and transport; fundamental aspects of innate and adaptive immune response to HSV; HSV disease pathogenesis in multiple organ systems, including the skin, reproductive tract, eye, and the peripheral and central nervous systems; and the key drivers of disease transmission.
  • Characterize host and pathogen drivers that underlie dynamics of HSV latency and reactivation.
  • Improve understanding of diverse pathophysiology of HSV infection including neonatal infection and the role of mucosal immunity to reduce genital and orolabial infection and disease; and a deeper understanding of the neurologic impact of HSV infection, including herpes simplex encephalitis, and post-associations with neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer’s disease.
  • Explore epidemiology of and co-morbidities associated with HSV infection.
  • Improve and develop new in vitro and in vivo models that reflect human disease.

Priority 2: Accelerate research to improve diagnosis

  • Develop improved biomarkers and technologies for herpes diagnosis.
  • Improve sensitivity and specificity of serologic tests that can be made commercially.
  • Support research to improve point-of-care diagnostics.

Priority 3: Improve strategies to treat and cure HSV

  • Support research to identify immune correlates of protection for HSV1 and HSV2.
  • Advance the development of promising prophylactic vaccines.
  • Support clinical trials to test new evaluation of therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines (therapeutic and prophylactic).

Priority 4: Advanced research to prevent HSV infection

  • Support research to identify immune correlates of protection for HSV1 and HSV2.
  • Advance the development of promising prophylactic vaccines.
  • Support clinical trials to test new evaluation of therapies, diagnostics, and vaccines (therapeutic and prophylactic).

Information Requested

What is your view of NIH’s strategic plan for HSV research? NIH wants your feedback on the following regarding the proposed framework above.

  • What significant research gaps or barriers are not identified in the strategic priorities?
  • What are the necessary resources critical to advancing research in the strategic priorities?
  • Are there any emerging scientific advances or techniques that may accelerate research related to the strategic priorities?
  • Could other approaches advance treatment and prevention of HSV? What are possible future priority areas for new clinical research?

How to Submit Responses

Submit all comments electronically on the RFI website by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on June 21, 2023. Do not include any personally identifiable information that you do not wish to make public, including proprietary, classified, confidential, trade secret, or sensitive information.

Direct all inquiries to NIHHSVResearch@niaid.nih.gov.

Contact Us

Email us at deaweb@niaid.nih.gov for help navigating NIAID’s grant and contract policies and procedures.

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