A Phase 2b Trial of EPB-348 for the Treatment of Herpes Zoster

Inclusion Criteria: * Male and female adults at least 18 years of age * Patients with signs and symptoms consistent with acute herpes zoster disease, namely, a dermatomal vesicular rash which may be preceded by pain and parasthesias in the days before vesicular eruption * Herpes Zoster associated rash present for ≤ 72 hours * Patients who are deemed to be immunocompetent based on history and physical exam Exclusion Criteria: * Females who are pregnant or nursing * History or clinical manifestations of significant metabolic, hematological, pulmonary, ischemic, or unstable heart disease, gastrointestinal, neurological, psychiatric, renal, urological, endocrine, opthalmologic, or immune mediated disease including HIV or HBsAg positivity * Chronic genital herpes * Patients who received cytotoxic or immunosuppressive drug therapy within 3 months prior to study participation * Previous vaccinations against Herpes Zoster * Patients with \> 50% of vesicles crusted at screen * Patients who received topical or systemic antiviral medications or immunomodulatory agents for herpes zoster viral infections or capsaicin within 4 weeks of study participation * Patients with a history of congenital, acquired, or corticosteroid induced immunodeficiency, including malignancy, significantly impaired renal function (creatinine clearance \< 50 cc/min), and impaired hepatic function (ALT or AST levels \> 3 times the upper limit of normal) * QTc \> 500msec * Patients with a history of intolerance or hypersensitivity to acyclovir, penciclovir, valacyclovir, or famciclovir * Patients with gastrointestinal dysfunction that might interfere with drug absorption * Patients, considered by the investigator, for any reason, to be an unsuitable candidate for receiving the study drug