The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) and Moderna have officially begun a Phase I Clinical trial of their experimental HIV vaccine, and the first doses have now been delivered. This vaccine is designed to elicit the creation of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) based on research conducted by IAVI and Scripps Research in a different proof of principle trial led by Professor William Schiff. BnAbs are specialized blood proteins that can attach themselves to the spikes on the surface of HIV, stopping it from attacking healthy cells. Eliciting the creation of such antibodies creates an immune response that can neutralize diverse strains of the virus. This approach has been combined with Moderna’s mRNA technology – the same as the one used for the COVID-19 vaccine. "We are tremendously excited to be advancing this new direction in HIV vaccine design with Moderna's mRNA platform. The search for an HIV vaccine has been long and challenging, and having new tools in terms of immunogens and platforms could be the key to making rapid progress toward an urgently needed, effective HIV vaccine," Dr Mark Feinberg, president and CEO of IAVI, said in a statement. "We are grateful to all of our partners and especially to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for funding this trial." The main objectives for this clinical trial (technically known as IAVI G002) are to see the same immune response witnessed in Schiff’s trial (IAVI G001) but also to assess further maturation of B cells producing bnAbs, creating a stronger response. "We've seen promising proof of concept for germline targeting in IAVI G001, and this trial lets us take that approach to the next stage. What's more, we've been able to expedite production of clinical trial material at a remarkably rapid pace because of Moderna's technology," said Schief. The production of mRNA vaccines allows more flexible vaccine design and testing, plus faster production. This could save years on the creation of a vaccine, if successful. "We are very pleased to be partnering with IAVI and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to apply our mRNA technology in the setting of HIV. At Moderna, we believe that mRNA offers a unique opportunity to address critical unmet public health needs around the world," added Dr Stephen Hoge, President of Moderna. "We believe advancing this HIV vaccine program in partnership with IAVI and Scripps Research is an important step in our mission to deliver on the potential for mRNA to improve human health." The trial is expected to last until 2023. There is currently no vaccine for HIV. However, there are drugs that can prevent from becoming infected, such as PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis), new versions of which could be even easier to administer such as the injectable form. Other HIV vaccines are also going to trial currently. When it comes to people living with HIV, with access to antiretroviral drugs, they can live completely healthy lives. On top of that, once their viral load becomes undetectable it is impossible for them to pass the virus on. This remarkable achievement is encapsulated by the phrase undetectable equals untransmittable, or U=U. People living with HIV continue to experience stigma, which may prevent access to information about the disease and life-saving drugs due to political, religious, and social-economic conditions. Worldwide, there are over 35 million people living with HIV. A vaccine and a cure would be revolutionary, but equal access to education and medicines is paramount to saving lives today. Source
