Herpes vaccine developer lands $35M in funding

A Cambridge, Massachusetts vaccine production company has recently completed its second round of venture capital financing, netting $35 million in funds to be put toward a herpes type 2 vaccine.

The group, Genocea Biosciences, found investors in the Johnson & Johnson Development Corporation, Skyline Ventures and MP Healthcare Venture Management.

The majority of these funds will go to a vaccine currently in testing, which is intended to treat - though not prevent - a herpes type 2 infection using a formula based on human T cells.

Genocea is engaged in developing preventative vaccines for chlamydia, malaria, herpes type 2 and pneumonia as well.

The company also recently hired Seth Hetherington, a former GlaxoSmithKline executive, as its chief medical officer in charge of the herpes type 2 vaccine development project.

Currently, herpes has no cure. Its symptoms include genital sores, painful urination and genital discharge.

Individuals who suspect they have contracted the virus may consider using online testing services in order to determine whether or not they have the sexually transmitted disease.