IAVI’s Post

Today is HIV Vaccine Awareness Day – a day we acknowledge the continuing urgent need for an HIV vaccine, to protect against and eventually to eliminate the threat of AIDS. HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) attacks the body’s immune system, and if left untreated, develops into full blown AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome), a severe and fatal disease. In 2022, 39 million people were living with HIV/AIDS and an additional 1.3 million people contracted the virus. Treating this complex and deadly disease is expensive; at least $29 billion would be required for worldwide treatment of HIV/AIDS. There are over 20 active HIV clinical trials evaluating HIV vaccine candidates. AAHI is proud to be supporting over half of them (11 active trials in the United States and South Africa) with its adjuvant formulation technology. Adjuvants boost the immune response and provide greater breadth of immunity – an characteristic especially important to protecting against genetically variable forms of HIV. Recent data from a Phase 1 clinical trial evaluating a combination of AAHI’s GLA-SE adjuvant formulation with Worcester HIV Vaccine’s antigen, PDPHV, demonstrated not only that the PDPHV+GLA-SE vaccine is safe, but also that it elicited powerful immune protection against HIV – greater binding antibody breadth and cellular responses than any previously evaluated HIV vaccine candidates. AAHI is committed to collaborating with its HIV vaccine development partners, providing adjuvant formulations and supporting clinical trials to develop effective protection against HIV/AIDS. #HVAD

Update on HIV VACCINE AIDSVax was one of the first HIV vaccine to be tested in humans . Developed by the company Genentech and later by the HIV Vaccine trials Network. AIDSVax was based on a synthetic version of the HIV envelope pr. Key points about AIDSVax Purpose: AIDSVax aimed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and respond to HIV infection. Clinical trials: It underwent several clinical trials in the 1990s and early 2000s, including large scale trials in the United States and Thailand. Results: The trials showed limited efficacy. The most notable study, known as the RV144 trial in Thailand (2009), suggested a modest reduction in HIV infection rates (about 31%) , but this was not sufficient for regulatory approval. Legacy: Although AIDSVax itself was not successful, it contributed to the understanding of HIV Vaccine development and informed future research. Current Status: While AIDSVax was a significant step in HIV Vaccine research , it ultimately did not lead to a viable Vaccine. # Vaccine research continue Building on the lessons learned from AIDSVax and other trials to develop more effective strategies against HIV. # Ongoing research aims to find a definitive cure including Strategies like gene editing and therapeutic vaccines. # While we earnestly wait for the Vaccines and possible cure, it is essential for individuals living with HIV to continue to live positively by being adherent to the use of antiretroviral therapy and ensures achievement of undetectable viral load which leads to quality of life. # We continue to keep an eye on updates from health organizations and research institutions for the latest developments. Are you living with the Virus and on treatment. We're sure getting closer to the cure. #EndHIV2030 #HelpEndHIV #StopHIVTogether #KnowYourStatus #GetTested #EndHIVStigma Executive Director YOSACA

Update on HIV VACCINE AIDSVax was one of the first HIV vaccine to be tested in humans . Developed by the company Genentech and later by the HIV Vaccine trials Network. AIDSVax was based on a synthetic version of the HIV envelope protein. Key points about AIDSVax Purpose: AIDSVax aimed to stimulate the immune system to recognize and respond to HIV infection. Clinical trials: It underwent several clinical trials in the 1990s and early 2000s, including large scale trials in the United States and Thailand. Results: The trials showed limited efficacy. The most notable study, known as the RV144 trial in Thailand (2009), suggested a modest reduction in HIV infection rates (about 31%) , but this was not sufficient for regulatory approval. Legacy: Although AIDSVax itself was not successful, it contributed to the understanding of HIV Vaccine development and informed future research. Current Status: While AIDSVax was a significant step in HIV Vaccine research , it ultimately did not lead to a viable Vaccine. # Vaccine research continue Building on the lessons learned from AIDSVax and other trials to develop more effective strategies against HIV. # Ongoing research aims to find a definitive cure including Strategies like gene editing and therapeutic vaccines. # While we earnestly wait for the Vaccines and possible cure, it is essential for individuals living with HIV to continue to live positively by being adherent to the use of antiretroviral therapy and ensures achievement of undetectable viral load which leads to quality of life. # We continue to keep an eye on updates from health organizations and research institutions for the latest developments. Are you living with the Virus and on treatment. We're sure getting closer to the cure. #EndHIV2030 #HelpEndHIV #StopHIVTogether #KnowYourStatus #GetTested #EndHIVStigma Executive Director YOSACA

A recent publication in Emerging Microbes and Infections (EMI) features Worcester HIV Vaccine (WHV) as one of nine biotech companies actively contributing to the development of an HIV vaccine worldwide. Given that the HIV vaccine field is currently at a somber point - not having made real progress in the past four decades and numerous phase 2 and 3 trials failed to show effectiveness - the role of small biotech companies to advance the HIV vaccine field deserves a closer look. The International AIDS Society (IAS) Corporate Partnership Program (CPP) Vaccine Group - established two years ago to bring together industry and non-industry partners to address the complexities of HIV vaccine research and development (R&D) – deliberated over the issues faced by small biotech companies in the HIV vaccine field and now published an outline of multiple suggestions and strategies to overcome those issues. Roger TATOUD et al. propose a multi-faceted approach that includes enhanced communication, fostering innovation, and implementing strategic funding models. The suggested recommendation to successfully support biotech’s continuous involvement in HIV vaccine R&D not only addresses the financial hurdles, but also covers issues within business development and management, intellectual property, clinical research (including regulatory affairs), policy and advocacy, and research coordination and dissemination. Read the paper here: https://lnkd.in/etX9pe9x

Exciting news from the Duke Human Vaccine Institute (DHVI)! A recent clinical trial showcased promising results for an HIV vaccine candidate developed at DHVI. The trial demonstrated that the vaccine triggered low levels of broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies in participants, marking a significant breakthrough in HIV vaccine development. This finding is groundbreaking as it addresses a longstanding challenge in HIV research. The ability to induce these elusive antibodies, crucial for fighting diverse strains of HIV, has been a major hurdle in vaccine development. Moreover, the candidate's effectiveness in initiating this immune response within weeks is a critical step forward. The vaccine targets a specific region on the HIV-1 outer envelope, known as the membrane proximal external region (MPER). By focusing on this area, the vaccine can elicit antibodies that can block infection by various HIV strains, offering new hope in the fight against the virus. Published in Cell, the study titled “Vaccine induction of heterologous HIV-1-neutralizing antibody B cell lineages in humans” underscores the potential of this innovative approach. Congratulations to the team at DHVI for this significant advancement in HIV vaccine research! 🌟 #HIVresearch #VaccineDevelopment #DHVI #HealthInnovation

**Germline-Targeting HIV Vaccine Shows Promise in Inducing Neutralizing Antibodies** A recent study explores an innovative approach to HIV vaccination by focusing on germline-targeting. This strategy aims to induce the production of neutralizing antibodies that specifically target the CD4 binding site of the HIV virus—a critical area for the virus to attach and enter human cells. **Key Highlights:** - **Germline Targeting:** This method stimulates precursor B cells that are capable of evolving into mature cells producing broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs). - **CD4 Binding Site:** The CD4 binding site is a highly conserved region of the HIV envelope protein, making it an ideal target for vaccines aimed at providing broad protection against various HIV strains. - **Neutralizing Antibodies:** The study demonstrated that the germline-targeting vaccine successfully induced antibodies that could neutralize diverse strains of HIV. **Implications:** This research represents a significant step forward in the quest for an effective HIV vaccine. By targeting the virus at such a crucial site, this approach has the potential to offer broad protection, bringing us closer to a viable vaccine for HIV. #HIV #VaccineResearch #NeutralizingAntibodies #CD4BindingSite #GermlineTargeting

bioLytical’s journey of incredible innovation started with an idea to create equitable access to a safe, affordable, and accurate HIV rapid test that helps connect more people to care. Here's what bioLytical did: They developed the world’s fastest HIV test using the INSTI® platform, capable of performing the test and getting results in just one minute. “At the core, we are on a global mission to ensure that every person has access to our tests so that they can learn their status faster. Testing is the only way to know, and we continue to work as a team to innovate in ways that can help reach everyone, especially marginalized groups who may not have access to regular healthcare services,” says Rob Mackie, Chief Executive Officer for bioLytical Laboratories. Using its proven INSTI® platform, bioLytical created its HIV self-test, Canada’s first and only test approved for HIV home-testing, providing a way for people to learn their status in the privacy of their own homes. The company continues to innovate, offering antibody tests for hepatitis C and COVID-19 on its INSTI® platform. As a multiple award-winning company, bioLytical partners with trusted organizations, such as the WHO, to build equitable access to testing. It also works with the REACH Nexus program in Canada, offering a way for people to get tested for HIV at home while also connecting to support through an innovative app, one of the first of its kind.  Learn more about this disruptor's story in INNOVATE® Vancouver: https://lnkd.in/gcZUAdHi #healthcareinnovation #bioLyticalLaboratories #bioLytical #healthinnovations #SelfTesting ##futureofhealthcare #InnovationsoftheWorld #innovations #innovator Sven Boermeester Brahm Glickman Ruby K. Sandhu Dane Christianson Rob Mackie bioLytical

Scientists at the Duke Human Vaccine Institute have developed an HIV vaccine candidate that has triggered low levels of an elusive type of a broadly neutralizing HIV antibodies. Results from a 2019 clinical trial revealed proof that the vaccine can elicit antibodies to combat different strains of HIV, but also initiate the process within weeks. The vaccine candidate targets the membrane proximal external region (MPER), located on the HIV-1 outer envelope. Antibodies against the MPER region can thus block inflection in the outer coat by diverse circulating strains of HIV. Read more with GenEng News! https://lnkd.in/eyzPcXxw #vaccinedevelopment #vaccineresearch

THE RAGON INSTITUTE, REITHERA SRL, AND IAVI ANNOUNCE COLLABORATION TO ADVANCE HIGHLY NETWORKED T CELL HIV VACCINE CANDIDATE TOWARDS PHASE I CLINICAL EVALUATION The Ragon Institute of Mass General, MIT, and Harvard, ReiThera Srl, and IAVI are pleased to announce a collaboration on the development of a novel HIV vaccine candidate that will be composed of ReiThera’s GRAd vector and HIV T cell epitopes identified by the Ragon Institute. It is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. The program will be focused on supporting two key goals: 1. Development and production of a novel T cell-based HIV vaccine component 2. Evaluation of the safety and immunogenicity of the novel vaccine in clinical trials in sub-Saharan Africa Gaurav Gaiha, MD, DPhil, leads the Gaiha Lab at the Ragon Institute, which will handle the preclinical development of the HIV vaccine immunogen on which the gorilla-adenoviral vaccine candidate is based. “We are thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with ReiThera and IAVI, with the support of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, to advance the GRAd-HIV highly networked T cell vaccine candidate towards clinical evaluation,” said Gaiha. “We are particularly pleased that this takes place with partners in sub-Saharan Africa, given the immense need for new solutions to curtail the ongoing HIV epidemic.” Read the full press release here: https://lnkd.in/gbraaFAn #HIV #Vaccine #Collaboration #Africa #Immunology

WHV joins the world in commemorating HIV Vaccine Awareness Day by acknowledging the continued need to develop a globally effective vaccine against HIV infection. Today, we appreciatively reflect back on the progress WHV and collaborators have made over the last year towards that goal. Most recently, the HVTN124 trial report was published in the Lancet HIV (see link below), in which the scientists from the HIV Vaccine Trial Network (HVTN) report immunogenicity results elicited by our vaccine candidate PDPHV (polyvalent DNA/protein HIV vaccine) that were found to be superior to many previous HIV vaccines in several ways – a very promising step forward for the whole HIV vaccine research community. Furthermore, Dr Shan Lu has been working with other renowned researchers in the field on additional immune response studies related to PDPHV, of which another paper is about to be published in a major journal soon. Overall, the development program of PDPHV is moving along well, as WHV is currently in the process of closing out the recently finished phase 1b trial WHV138 in partnership with the clinical research team at the Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, MA. The trial was completed successfully after about 2.5 years, confirming further that PDPHV is safe and showing similar immunogenicity as in HVTN124 that will be explored further in the next phase 2 trial. However, none of this progress would be possible without the numerous volunteers participating in vaccine research and our many talented partners and collaborators joining forces toward the common goal: to develop a safe and effective, preventative HIV vaccine that can eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS around the world. We at WHV are grateful for your support and eager to continue this quest together! https://lnkd.in/eN8x6pyw #HVAD #HVAD2024 #HIVprevention #HIVvaccine #AIDSvaccine