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HIV/AIDS vaccine breakthrough draws upbeat response
Lynne Altenroxel. 02 June 2003. The Star. Republished courtesy of Independent Newspapers (Pty) Ltd.
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The first trials in South Africa of an HIV/AIDS vaccine could get under way soon.
The long-awaited human trials are expected to start in the United States in July, after approval by the US Food and Drug Administration.
Initially the vaccine's manufacturer, a US biotech company called AlphaVax, planned to co-ordinate the start of its trials so that participants in South Africa and America were given the first injections at exactly the same time.
But, according to the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the latest protocols stipulate that the trials should start in the US first.
In addition, the Medicines Control Council (MCC) has still not given the approval needed for the South African part of the study.
The two-year delay was caused by technical problems. They have been overcome by AlphaVax, but serve as a reminder of the many obstacles on the path to an HIV/AIDS vaccine.
In South Africa, MCC approval for three HIV/AIDS vaccine trials is expected soon. They include:
- The AlphaVax vaccine, developed in collaboration with South African virologist Professor Carolyn Williamson and US scientists;
- Two HIV/AIDS vaccines developed overseas. One has been developed by the pharmaceutical company, Merck, the other by the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. Both will be tested in conjunction with the HIV Vaccine Trials Network.
All the planned South African trials are safety studies that are conducted in humans before permission can be granted for more-extensive trials. The complete process is expected to take at least five years.
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