Researchers at the University of Georgia have made an exciting breakthrough that could lead to better treatment for millions of people living with herpes and shingles. Scientists David Chu and Uma Singh have developed a new molecule called POM-L-BHDU, and it may offer a safer and more effective way to fight viruses like varicella zoster and herpes simplex.
The varicella zoster virus is the one that causes chickenpox. After a person recovers, the virus doesn’t leave the body—it stays hidden in the nervous system and can reactivate later in life as shingles. Shingles causes painful skin rashes and nerve pain, especially in older adults.
Meanwhile, herpes simplex virus types 1 and 2 cause oral and genital herpes, which are common, long-term infections that many people struggle with both physically and emotionally.
The new molecule, POM-L-BHDU, stands out because it is much more powerful than many current antiviral drugs, which are slowly becoming less effective as viruses develop resistance.
Even better, POM-L-BHDU has a strong safety profile, meaning it is unlikely to cause harmful side effects. This makes it especially useful for people with weaker immune systems, such as cancer patients.
What makes this discovery even more promising is the different ways the molecule can be used. It can be taken by mouth, injected, or applied directly to the skin. The topical use—putting it directly on the skin—is particularly exciting because it helps stop the virus where it appears, such as on lips or other affected areas.
This local treatment method keeps most of the drug out of the rest of the body, which lowers the risk of side effects. It also makes it easier for people to treat outbreaks quickly and safely.
Tests on mice and human skin samples have shown that POM-L-BHDU works well at stopping both shingles and herpes viruses. This means it has the potential to treat multiple viral infections with one treatment.
The researchers hope that in the future, a cream version of this treatment could be sold over the counter. That means people could buy it at a pharmacy without a prescription and use it as soon as they feel an outbreak coming. Early treatment can help reduce symptoms and shorten how long outbreaks last.
The University of Georgia has already licensed the molecule to a company called Anterogen Co., and phase 1 clinical trials are expected to begin soon. These trials will help confirm that the treatment is safe and works in humans, moving it one step closer to becoming available to the public.
This discovery is a big step forward in the fight against common viral infections like shingles and herpes. For millions of people dealing with these conditions, POM-L-BHDU offers new hope—not only for relief from symptoms, but also for easier, faster, and safer treatment in the future.
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