The world needs innovative ways to prevent HIV infections

The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) announced the testing of a novel vaccine candidate designed to stimulate the immune system to initiate a key first step in the generation of potent proteins, known as broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs), against HIV. This is a phase 1 clinical trial first-in-human clinical trial to assess the safety, tolerability, and immunogenicity of eOD-GT8 60mer Vaccine, Adjuvanted, in a prime-boost regimen, in up to 48 healthy adult HIV-negative volunteers. The trial is taking place at two sites: George Washington University (GW) in Washington, D.C., and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle, Washington. A preventive HIV vaccine is given to people who do not have HIV, with the goal of preventing HIV infection in the future. The vaccine would teach the person’s immune system to recognize and effectively fight HIV in case the person is ever exposed to HIV. A therapeutic HIV vaccine is given to people who...