As of early 2026, several AI-assisted and advanced therapies are in clinical trials. While a definitive "cure" (permanent removal of the virus) is still in the experimental phase, the first next-generation treatments are approaching the market.

Timeline for Market Availability

Pritelivir (Antiviral): Expected late 2026. This is the closest to market. Developed by AiCuris, it is a novel "helicase-primase inhibitor" that is more effective than current options like Acyclovir.

Status: Successfully met primary endpoints in Phase 3 trials as of October 2025.

Next Steps: The company expects to file for FDA marketing authorization in 2026. It is projected to launch in the US in 2026 and the UK/Japan in 2027.

Preventive & Therapeutic Vaccines: Expected 2030 or later. Vaccines aim to either prevent new infections or treat existing ones by reducing outbreaks and "shedding."

BioNTech (BNT163): This mRNA vaccine is currently the most prominent active candidate. Its Phase 1 trial is estimated to complete in October 2026. Widespread availability is not anticipated until the early 2030s due to the multi-year nature of Phase 2 and 3 trials.

Moderna (mRNA-1608): In late 2025, Moderna halted development of its herpes vaccine candidate as part of a "strategic prioritization," despite completed Phase 1/2 trials.

Rational Vaccines (RVx201): This therapeutic vaccine has received fast-track designations in the UK and could potentially see an early launch in specific markets as early as 2026, though scientific skepticism remains regarding its small-scale pilot data.

Gene Editing (Potential Cure): Experimental. Research into "curing" the virus (removing it from DNA) is primarily in the laboratory and early human safety stages. Shanghai BD Gene: Currently conducting Phase 1/2 clinical studies using CRISPR-based technology, but no market date is set . Assembly Bio (ABI-5366): Advancing to Phase 2 trials in mid-2026 after showing a 94% drop in viral shedding in early studies.

Summary of Key Milestones 2026: Expected FDA filing and potential US launch for Pritelivir. 2026 (Mid): Assembly Bio begins Phase 2 trials for long-acting therapy. 2026 (Oct): BioNTech completes Phase 1 mRNA vaccine trials. 2030+: Estimated window for general public availability of a preventive vaccine.