There is an urgent need for a vaccine against herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2) infection. Firstly because HSV-2 is the most common sexually transmitted infection with >500 million infected individuals globally, and secondly because HSV-2 infection greatly increases the risk of HIV transmission. We have shown that HSV-2 glycoprotein G (gG-2) is necessary for HSV-2 to spread to the nervous system after genital infection and that gG-2 together with adjuvant provides good protection as a vaccine in a mouse model. The aim of the project is to present a new vaccine concept against HSV-2 infection based on gG-2. We will now optimize the process for large-scale production of gG-2 with a view to toxicological studies prior to phase I studies in humans. Prophylactic and therapeutic effects will be studied in an additional animal model, different adjuvants will be evaluated and immunological mechanisms will be mapped to understand why gG-2 provides protection during vaccination. The project has good prospects for successful continuation with support from several stakeholders such as the Swedish Research Council, VINNOVA, Innovationsbron, Novo Nordic A/S and GöteborgBIO.