Theralase®: A Promising New Treatment for Herpes

Theralase® Technologies Inc. (TSXV:TLT)(OTCQB:TLTFF), a clinical stage pharmaceutical company, has recently announced groundbreaking research demonstrating the safety and efficacy of its small molecule, Ruvidar™, in the treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus Type 1 (HSV-1) in an animal model. This development holds significant potential for the millions of people affected by herpes worldwide.

Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is a common infection that primarily spreads through skin-to-skin contact, causing painful blisters or ulcers. It is treatable but not curable, with an estimated 3.8 billion people under the age of 50 (64%) globally having HSV-1, the main cause of oral herpes, and 520 million people aged 15 to 49 (13%) having HSV-2, the main cause of genital herpes (CDC, 2021). The global HSV treatment market size was estimated at $USD 2.5 billion in 2023, with a projected CAGR of 8.1% from 2024 to 2030 (Grand View Research, 2023).

In the latest Theralase® research, Balb/C mice were infected with human HSV-1 virus. On day 6 post-infection, a 1% Ruvidar® solution was applied topically over the area of well-developed lesions, once daily for 4 days. The results showed complete healing of the HSV-1 cutaneous lesions, supporting the safety and efficacy of topically applied non-light activated Ruvidar® against cutaneous HSV-1 lesions in a mouse model (Theralase Technologies, 2025).

Previously, independent research conducted at the University of Manitoba demonstrated that non-light activated Ruvidar™ is much more effective in the inactivation of Herpes Simplex Viruses post infection than the gold standard treatment, acyclovir (University of Manitoba, 2025). The study found that Ruvidar™ inhibited HSV-1 replication at significantly lower concentrations and more effectively than acyclovir alone. Additionally, the research discovered additive and synergistic anti-HSV-1 effects when combination therapy was tested.

The potential long-term effects of Ruvidar™ treatment on HSV latency and reactivation are not yet known, and further research is needed to understand its impact on the development of a clinical program. However, the promising results from animal models and independent research suggest that Ruvidar™ could be a game-changing treatment for herpes.

In conclusion, Theralase®'s Ruvidar™ has shown promising results in the treatment of Herpes Simplex Virus, with the potential to revolutionize the way herpes is managed. As the company continues to develop both a vaccine and therapeutic for HSV prevention and treatment, the future looks bright for the millions of people affected by this common infection.

References:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2021). Genital Herpes - CDC Fact Sheet. Retrieved from
- Grand View Research. (2023). Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) Treatment Market Size, Share & Trends Analysis Report By Drug, By Application, By Region, And Segment Forecasts, 2023 - 2030. Retrieved from
- Theralase Technologies Inc. (2025). Theralase® validates previous University of Manitoba research by demonstrating that RuvidarTM is safe and effective in the treatment of the Herpes Simplex Virus in an animal model. Retrieved from
- University of Manitoba. (2025). Independent research verifies that RuvidarTM is more effective than acyclovir in the inactivation of Herpes Simplex Viruses post infection. Retrieved from