StiRx Co-Founders Author Critical Review on Biologic Therapies for Sexually Transmitted Infections

Boston, MA, May 2025 — Clinical Microbiology Reviews has published a critical review article authored by StiRx Co-Founders Davinder Gill, Sanjay Ram, and Peter Rice, highlighting the essential role of biologic drug development in addressing the escalating global burden of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

The article, titled “Biologic Drug Development for Treatment and Prevention of Sexually Transmitted Infections,” offers an in-depth evaluation of emerging strategies to combat high-priority pathogens such as Chlamydia trachomatis, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Herpes Simplex Virus Type 2, and Treponema pallidum. It underscores the growing limitations of conventional antimicrobial treatments and explores the potential of biologic therapies—including vaccines, monoclonal antibodies, nucleic acid-based platforms, microbiome-based interventions, and phage therapies—to address persistent therapeutic gaps.

“This review reflects the urgency of investing in next-generation therapeutics for infectious diseases where current tools are increasingly ineffective,” said Davinder Gill, CEO of StiRx. “Our work brings attention to biologics as a vital component in the response to antimicrobial resistance and persistent mucosal infections.”

Sanjay Ram, physician-scientist and co-author, added, “We are seeing more cases where standard antibiotic regimens are failing, especially with pathogens like N. gonorrhoeae. This review outlines how biologics can target immune evasion and deliver more sustained protection.”

“Our goal was to synthesize the biology, immunology, and translational science needed to shape future clinical solutions,” said StiRx co-founder Peter Rice. “By focusing on mucosal and extragenital infections, we address often-overlooked drivers of STI transmission and persistence.”

The review also explores vaccine strategies, monoclonal antibodies targeting conserved microbial epitopes, and novel delivery platforms designed to enhance mucosal immunity. It highlights the promise of precision biologics in addressing pathogen diversity, latency, and treatment resistance.

For more information, visit https://doi.org/10.1128/cmr.00107-24