Efficacy test of new HIV vaccine against multiple strains to be launched

The U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) and Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson announced a plan to carry out an HIV vaccine efficacy trial in North America, South America and Europe. This Phase 3 efficacy study will enroll 3,800 HIV-negative men and transgender people aged 18 to 60 years who have sex with men and/or transgender people. The study will evaluate an investigational vaccine called Mosaico based on “mosaic” immunogens, vaccine components comprising elements from multiple HIV subtypes, aiming to induce immune responses against a wide variety of global HIV strains. “We are committed to developing a safe and effective preventive HIV vaccine suitable for the global populations most vulnerable to HIV acquisition,” said Anthony S. Fauci, director of NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. It is anticipated to open for enrollment in the United States later this year and the clinical research will also be done in Argentina, Brazil,...