Hera Therapeutics' HTI-1968 shuts down HPV that causes most cervical cancer

Research presented at the 29th Annual International Papillomavirus Conference shows that a therapy being developed by privately-held US firm Hera Therapeutics combats three types of human papillomavirus, including the two that cause 70% of all cervical cancer.

When tested in several cultured human cell models, HTI-1968 blocked the replication of HPV-16, HPV-18 and HPV-11 cells, according to Louise Chow and Thomas Broker, who presented the findings at the Seattle conference. The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in the National Institutes of Health funded Dr Chow's work at the University of Alabama, Birmingham.

"HTI-1968 is potent and selective, inhibiting the growth of these high-risk HPV types. Dr Chow's findings, though early stage, offer hope to millions of women infected by one of these high-risk HPV types, including two that are responsible for 70% of cervical cancer cases," said Hera Therapeutics chief executive Karl Hostetler.