FDA approves Asahi Kasei’s oral treatment for herpes lesions

The FDA approved Asahi Kasei’s Hovilpri for adults with lesions caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) that do not respond to three oral antivirals, MedCity News and Endpoints News reported. The once-daily oral drug, developed as pritelivir, will be marketed under the name Hovilpri. It was developed to treat both HSV-1 and HSV-2.

MedCity said the FDA application was based on a Phase 3 study that found statistically significant superiority in lesion healing up to day 28, compared with physician’s choice of treatment. The most common adverse reaction reported in the study was headache. Asahi Kasei acquired Hovilpri’s developer, AiCuris Anti-Infective Cures, for €780 million (about $919 million), MedCity reported.