Mr. Sullivan said the only existing topical product for herpes treatment is made by Burroughs Wellcome, his former company.

Genital herpes treatment includes medicines to help sores heal faster and prevent outbreaks.

Microbicides are another option scientists are exploring in the search for new genital herpes treatments.

Although these new genital herpes treatments are just on the horizon, it may be years before any are available to consumers.

The herpes treatment uses two siRNAs.

Lidak Pharmaceuticals plunged 23/16, to 2 1/2, after preliminary test results showed little difference between its oral herpes treatment Lidakol and a placebo.

It has been studied in potential herpes treatments, because of its antiviral activity.

Much of the company's future, though, still rests on its anti-viral business, and specifically its herpes treatments.

Get the skinny on some controversial alternative herpes treatments.

The antiviral drug aciclovir, often used in herpes treatment, is structurally similar to guanosine.