Int Conf AIDS 1996 Jul 7-12; 11:216 (abstract no. Th.A.280) Johnston MI, Berkley S; The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, Washington, DC, USA. Fax: 202-408-1818. E-mail: 103645.1720@compuserve.com.
Progress in understanding HIV pathogenesis has been remarkable and continues at a healthy pace. Several therapies to combat HIV and the opportunistic infections associated with AIDS are available in more developed countries. While behavioral and other preventive interventions have been of some success in preventing new infections, the best hope of impacting the epidemic worldwide is a safe and effective vaccine suitable for the world. Phase I trials of over 20 HIV vaccines have been initiated. Yet, few candidates have moved into phase II trials, and there is a limited number of products advancing in the development pipeline. As a result, identification of the first safe and effective HIV vaccine remains at least 6 years away. Further, these first vaccines based on subtype B may not work against other subtypes of HIV that predominate in developing countries, where 90% of new infections occur. Complex replicating and non-replicating vaccine designs, which have proven successful against other viral diseases, and newer designs that take the needs of developing countries into consideration must be more vigorously pursued. To accelerate this process, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI), in collaboration with developing countries, industrial partners, national programs, and UNAIDS, will launch a global, directed, scientific program to fill critical research and development gaps and to promote increased attention to an investment in HIV/AIDS vaccine development worldwide.
Keywords: AEGIS, AIDS Vaccines, HIV, Clinical Trials, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Developing Countries, Developed Countries, Virus Diseases, economics, ICA11
