STI Cure Pipeline 2026 — Trials Tracker for Herpes, HIV, HPV

The 2020s have produced the strongest STI cure pipeline in decades. The mRNA platform validated by COVID is being applied to herpes. CRISPR is advancing for both HIV and HSV. Lenacapavir's twice-yearly injection for HIV is reshaping prevention and likely treatment too.

Below: current trials by condition. Each entry includes developer, phase, mechanism, why it matters, and realistic timeline. No hype. No fake hope. Just the science.

Three things to keep in mind

“Cure” has multiple meanings. Therapeutic vaccine (reduces outbreaks). Functional cure (no virus detectable, no treatment needed). Sterilizing cure (every viral copy gone). These are different goals with different timelines.
Phase 1/2 does not mean available next year. A Phase 2 result is usually 5-8 years from market for a complex therapeutic.
Most pipeline candidates fail. The history of herpes and HIV vaccines is littered with promising candidates that did not survive Phase 3. Multiple parallel paths de-risk this.

Herpes (HSV) pipeline

See our full herpes pillar guide.

mRNA-1608 (HSV-2 therapeutic vaccine)

Developer: Moderna · Phase: Phase 1/2

Mechanism: mRNA encoding HSV-2 surface proteins

Significance: First serious mRNA shot at herpes. Same platform that delivered COVID vaccine at scale.

Expected: Early efficacy data late 2026 / early 2027

BNT163 (HSV-2 therapeutic vaccine)

Developer: BioNTech · Phase: Phase 1

Mechanism: Multivalent mRNA — multiple HSV proteins for broader response

Significance: Competing mRNA approach alongside Moderna. Two well-funded shots is the strongest pipeline signal we have ever had.

Expected: 2026 readouts

Pritelivir (helicase-primase inhibitor)

Developer: AiCuris · Phase: Phase 3 (completed 2024)

Mechanism: Different antiviral mechanism than acyclovir; active against acyclovir-resistant HSV

Significance: First genuinely new herpes antiviral in decades. FDA approval submission expected. Important for immunocompromised patients.

Expected: 2026-2027 likely approval

EBT-HSV1 (CRISPR gene therapy)

Developer: Excision BioTherapeutics · Phase: IND-enabling

Mechanism: CRISPR-Cas9 via AAV — cuts HSV-1 DNA out of nerve cells

Significance: The "sterilizing cure" approach. Mice studies showed major reduction in latent viral DNA. Years from clinical use.

Expected: Phase 1 anticipated 2026-2027

GEN-003

Developer: Previously Genocea; rights changed hands · Phase: Phase 2 (paused)

Mechanism: HSV-2 protein subunit + adjuvant

Significance: Phase 2 data showed real outbreak reduction. Genocea bankruptcy in 2022 paused progress. Uncertain future.

Expected: Uncertain — depends on new sponsor

HIV pipeline

See our full HIV pillar guide.

Lenacapavir for HIV treatment

Developer: Gilead · Phase: Phase 3

Mechanism: Twice-yearly subcutaneous injection

Significance: After being approved for PrEP (twice-yearly prevention), Gilead is pursuing twice-yearly treatment too. Transformational for adherence.

Expected: Phase 3 readouts 2026-2027

EBT-101 (HIV CRISPR)

Developer: Excision BioTherapeutics · Phase: Phase 1/2

Mechanism: CRISPR-Cas9 to excise HIV proviral DNA

Significance: Most-advanced CRISPR HIV cure program in humans. Early safety/feasibility data ongoing.

Expected: Phase 1 readouts 2025-2026

A5374 (Immune priming)

Developer: NIH-funded · Phase: Phase 2

Mechanism: Vaccinate first, then start ART — trains immune system to control HIV

Significance: A path to functional cure that does not require gene editing. Targets the natural-immune-control approach.

Expected: Late 2020s readouts

AGT103-T (HIV gene therapy)

Developer: American Gene Technologies · Phase: Phase 1

Mechanism: CAR-T-like therapy — modifies own T-cells to resist HIV

Significance: Single-dose gene therapy potential. Early-phase but mechanism is unique.

Expected: Early data 2025

Broadly neutralizing antibodies (multiple)

Developer: Multiple academic + commercial · Phase: Phase 2

Mechanism: Injectable antibodies that neutralize multiple HIV strains

Significance: Could function as long-acting prevention or treatment adjunct. Most studied platform after ART itself.

Expected: Ongoing readouts

HPV pipeline

See our full HPV pillar guide.

Single-dose Gardasil

Developer: WHO research consortium · Phase: Real-world evidence accumulating

Mechanism: Reduce vaccination schedule from 2-3 doses to 1 dose

Significance: Already endorsed by WHO. US guidelines still recommend 2-3 doses but evidence is shifting.

Expected: US policy shift possible 2026-2028

VTP-200 (Barinthus)

Developer: Barinthus Therapeutics · Phase: Phase 1/2

Mechanism: Therapeutic HPV vaccine for persistent infection

Significance: First serious therapeutic HPV vaccine candidate. Targets women with persistent high-risk HPV (HPV-16/18).

Expected: 2025-2026 readouts

AHCC (Active Hexose Correlated Compound)

Developer: Multiple academic · Phase: Phase 2 (immune support)

Mechanism: Mushroom-derived immunomodulator

Significance: Several studies suggest accelerated HPV clearance. Evidence still building. Available OTC as a supplement.

Expected: Ongoing community use

Frequently asked questions

When will there be a herpes cure?+

A "cure" depends on definition. A therapeutic vaccine that meaningfully reduces outbreaks (Moderna, BioNTech) is plausible for late 2020s pending Phase 2/3 success. A sterilizing cure that eliminates the virus entirely (CRISPR approaches) is further out — 2032-2035 at earliest. Pritelivir, a much better antiviral, is at the FDA now.

When will there be an HIV cure?+

Lenacapavir for treatment (twice-yearly injection) is the nearest game-changer — 2026-2027 likely. Functional cure via gene therapy, CRISPR, or broadly neutralizing antibodies — multiple lines of research in Phase 1/2 trials. Realistic timeline for first approved curative therapy: 2028-2032.

What is the difference between functional and sterilizing cure?+

Functional cure: virus is suppressed below detectable levels with no ongoing treatment. Carrier is asymptomatic. Sterilizing cure: every copy of viral DNA is removed from the body — patient is biologically virus-free. Sterilizing cure is harder because viruses hide in long-lived cells.

Are clinical trials enrolling participants?+

Yes — both Moderna (mRNA-1608) and BioNTech (BNT163) are enrolling at multiple US sites. Search ClinicalTrials.gov for "HSV-2" or "HIV cure" to find current studies near you. Most trials are participant-friendly — covering travel, monitoring, and providing medications during the study.

How current is this tracker?+

Last updated in May 2026 based on publicly available trial registrations, conference presentations, and FDA submissions. Trial phases and timelines change frequently — when a specific trial matters to you, check the latest on ClinicalTrials.gov.

Want to know when this updates?

Join Shameless Path. We track pipeline updates, trial results, and major STI medical news for our community — including direct access to discussion threads when major news drops.

Join the community

Disclaimer: phase and timing information reflects publicly disclosed data as of May 2026. Trial timelines change frequently. For enrollment, see ClinicalTrials.gov. See our editorial standards and medical disclaimer.