In the early 1980s, Corey worked with Nobel Prize-winning biochemist and pharmacologist Dr. Gertrude Elion to demonstrate that an antiviral that was selective and specific for a viral-specified enzyme could be safely and effectively administered to control a chronic viral infection (herpes simplex virus type 2 or HSV-2).
[dubious – discuss] Corey first conceived of, demonstrated the core concepts of, and directed line association between quantitative viral load reduction and clinical benefit using topical, intravenous, and oral formulations of acyclovir in classic studies performed between 1980 and 1984.
One of Corey's major scientific initiatives has been to study and develop better therapy for the treatment and prevention of infectious disease associated cancers such as Kaposi sarcoma and Burkitt lymphoma.
[13] In 2013, as an outgrowth of his work in T-cell immunology, Corey became a cofounder of Juno Therapeutics, a company devoted to using genetically engineered T cells to fight cancer.
[14] Corey's early research dealt with herpes simplex viruses, and he headed several landmark studies defining the disease and leading the licensure of acyclovir and valacyclovir for its treatment.
[21] More recently, his research group has shown the importance of the mucosal immune system in controlling HSV reactivation, leading to the current momentum to try to develop novel vaccines for treating genital herpes.
On December 1, 2015, the work of Corey and HTVN scientists pursuing a vaccine to potentially halt HIV and AIDS was highlighted in an HBO/VICE special report titled "Countdown to Zero.