Research literature
Key peer-reviewed papers and conference reports behind the vaccine candidates we track. Each entry links to the source and carries a neutral summary in our own words — we surface metadata and context, not republished full text. Preclinical (animal or lab) work is labeled as such and is not evidence of effect in people.
- Immunogenicity and Efficacy of a Trivalent HSV-2 gC2, gD2, gE2 Nucleoside-Modified mRNA-LNP Vaccine Against HSV-1 Eye Infection and Neuroinvasion in Mice
A preclinical, peer-reviewed mouse study from the University of Pennsylvania group (Friedman, Cohen, Awasthi and colleagues) testing their trivalent gC2/gD2/gE2 nucleoside-modified mRNA-LNP vaccine — the same design behind BNT163 — against HSV-1 eye infection and spread to the nervous system. Findings are in an animal model and do not, on their own, establish protection in humans.
- Safety and Immunogenicity of BNT163, a Trivalent mRNA HSV Vaccine Candidate for Genital Herpes
A conference abstract (IDWeek 2025) reporting early safety and immune-response data from the first-in-human Phase 1 trial of BioNTech's trivalent mRNA candidate BNT163. As a Phase 1 report it addresses safety and immunogenicity, not whether the vaccine prevents genital herpes, and as a conference abstract it has not undergone full peer-reviewed publication.
- mRNA-1608, an mRNA-Based Therapeutic Genital Herpes Vaccine Candidate: Interim Safety, Immunogenicity and Clinical Endpoint Results from a Phase 1/2 Trial
A conference abstract (IDWeek 2025) reporting interim safety, immunogenicity, and clinical-endpoint results from the Phase 1/2 dose-ranging trial of Moderna's therapeutic candidate mRNA-1608. The results are interim and from a conference abstract; Moderna discontinued the program in November 2025 as part of a portfolio prioritization, not a reported safety failure.