14 DAY TRIAL // Using an ancient scourge to combat a new one, researchers from GlaxoSmithKline Biologicals and the Institut Pasteur have announced a new European collaboration to develop an AIDS vaccine by fusing genes from the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) onto an existing measles vaccine.
GSK Biologicals will license the measles vaccine vector technology from Institut Pasteur and the two entities will jointly develop the AIDS vaccine. The measles vaccine, based on the Schwarz strain of the measles virus, is known to confer very long-lasting immunity.
Scientists hope that using this vaccine as a carrier to deliver HIV proteins will allow them to produce a uniquely potent and long-lasting vaccine to prevent AIDS.
Announced in the week of World AIDS Day, which falls on December 1st, the initial project is being supported by a ?5.5 million grant from the European Union. It will be conducted in collaboration with 4 research centers in France, Belgium and the United Kingdom.
The project envisions development of a production process for the experimental vaccine as well as two clinical studies. The first study will evaluate the safety profile of the vaccine candidate, and the second will examine safety as well as the vaccine's immunogenicity in volunteers with pre-existing immunity to measles. The clinical studies will begin in the third year of the four to five year collaboration.