Moderna, IAVI launch trial for HIV vaccine using mRNA technology
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Moderna has stated Thursday the launch of clinical trials of an HIV mRNA vaccine, with 56 volunteers, who will be monitored for up to 6 months.
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Researchers will monitor the safety and efficacy of the new vaccine for up to six months (Maddie Meyer, Credit: Getty Images).
The Moderna pharmaceutical company, along with the IAVI non-profit scientific research organization, has begun giving the first doses of a clinical human trial of experimental mRNA vaccine against the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health.
In a statement, Moderna said today, Thursday, "IAVI, the nonprofit scientific research organization, and biotechnology company Moderna announced today that first doses have been administered in a clinical trial of experimental HIV vaccine antigens at George Washington University (GWU) School of Medicine and Health Sciences in Washington, D.C.".
ANNOUNCEMENT 📢: We are proud to announce that the first participant has been dosed in the Phase 1 study of mRNA-1644, our experimental #HIV #mRNA #vaccine candidate. Learn more about this exciting venture with @IAVI: https://t.co/apeIJpPbxz pic.twitter.com/1fON4j9hP7
— Moderna (@moderna_tx) January 27, 2022
According to ABC News, researchers did not only develop a primary vaccine, but they also created a booster that delivers HIV immunogens -- molecules that generate an immune response -- via mRNA.
This process would hopefully induce specific white blood cells, called B cells, which can then turn into broadly neutralizing antibodies that are able to neutralize the virus.
The statement said that Phase I of the trial will involve 56 healthy, HIV-negative adult participants at George Washington University and three additional sites.
48 of the volunteers will receive one or two doses of the mRNA vaccine, while 32 also will take the booster. As for the remaining eight, they will take the booster only.
ABC News added that researchers will then monitor the safety and efficacy of the new vaccine for up to six months after the volunteers receive their last dose.
The world has been struggling with the virus since 1981, with more than 36.3 million deaths and over 37 million people currently infected with the virus, which can lead to the potentially fatal disease AIDS. The disease has been so far untreatable but could be dealt with at particular stages.
