The National Institutes of Health has partnered with Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V. to conduct the phase 2b proof-of-concept “ Imbokodo” study of a quadrivalent HIV vaccine regimen using “mosaic” immunogens, which means the vaccine components are designed to trigger an immune response against a variety of HIV strains.
Preclinical studies in monkeys suggest this approach can protect against HIV infection, and two early-stage clinical trials in humans showed the vaccine was well tolerated and generated immune responses against HIV in healthy individuals.
The four doses of the vaccine will be spread out over a year, and the final two doses will be given together with doses of an HIV protein, clade C gp140, and an aluminum phosphate adjuvant to boost immune responses. The study has already begun to immunize some of the 2,600 HIV-negative sub-Saharan African women to be recruited for the study.
The study is sponsored by Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V. and cofunded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the NIH.
SOURCE: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases News Releases Nov. 30, 2017.