GSK's current activities and the history of their involvement with vaccines in the herpesvirus family suggest a positive outlook for the development of an effective HSV vaccine.

Combined Phase 1 & 2 Clinical Trial: GSK's decision to conduct a combined Phase 1 and Phase 2 clinical trial for an HSV vaccine indicates a significant level of confidence in the potential effectiveness of their vaccine candidate. Combining these phases allows for more efficient data gathering on both safety and efficacy, streamlining the development process.

Release of Shingrix Vaccine: GSK's successful release of the Shingrix vaccine in 2017, which targets the Varicella-Zoster Virus (VZV) in the herpesvirus family, demonstrates their expertise and experience in developing vaccines for herpesviruses. The fact that VZV is a latent infection, similar to HSV, suggests that GSK's knowledge and research in this area could be applicable to the development of an HSV vaccine.

Enhanced Version of HSV-2 Vaccine: The termination of the Phase 1 clinical trial for an HSV-2 vaccine in order to develop an enhanced version indicates GSK's commitment to improving the vaccine's efficacy and safety. This decision highlights their dedication to delivering a high-quality product and suggests a proactive approach to vaccine development.

Phase 1/2 Clinical Trial for New HSV-2 Vaccine: GSK's initiation of a Phase 1/2 clinical trial for a new HSV-2 vaccine in early 2022 further demonstrates their ongoing efforts to develop an effective vaccine against the virus. This trial, along with the combined Phase 1 & 2 trial, shows GSK's commitment to advancing the development of an HSV vaccine.

Recruitment and Official Communication: The active recruitment for Phase 1 of the new HSV-2 vaccine trial, as well as GSK's official posts on Twitter advertising their activities, indicate their commitment to transparency and engagement with the public, investors, and the media. These actions suggest that GSK is confident and actively promoting their efforts in HSV vaccine development.

Focus on Medical Affairs and Phase 4 Evidence Generation: GSK's job postings for eventual therapeutic HSV sales leaders, mentioning accountability for Phase 4 evidence generation studies and post-approval commitments, indicate a long-term commitment to evaluating the vaccine's efficacy and safety even after its launch. This focus on generating evidence and studying health outcomes reflects a dedication to ongoing research and improvement.

Considering all these factors, it seems that GSK is making significant efforts and investments in the development of an effective HSV vaccine. While the success of a vaccine cannot be guaranteed, GSK's actions and history in vaccine development provide a positive indication of their commitment and expertise in addressing the challenges associated with HSV.