30 August 2011
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Researchers at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital in Sheffield have taken part in a world-leading trial that has moved a step closer towards finding a vaccine against HIV.
The study, run by biopharmaceutical company SEEK, has shown that a trial vaccine has a significant impact on viral count in people with HIV, meaning it could be used to treat HIV-positive patients and also possibly to prevent people becoming infected at all.
Involving 55 HIV-positive volunteers at six centres across the country, the trial is the first ever to produce such a result in humans.
Dr Christine Bowman, Clinical Director for Communicable Diseases at Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “These are certainly very encouraging results and we are delighted to have been able to contribute to this study.
“HIV is an extremely serious pandemic and it is very important that we look for a viable vaccine. It has proven very difficult to develop a vaccine in the past because the virus constantly mutates.
“However, this new vaccine targets only the parts of the virus that remain constant across all strains, meaning it could be effective in treating HIV-positive patients. In addition, if a future trial is successful, it is possible that the vaccine could be used to help prevent people from becoming infected in the first place.”
The trial showed a 90% difference in viral count between volunteers who received the vaccine and those who received a placebo (a simulated intervention).
Gregory Stoloff, CEO of SEEK, commented: “This is the first time ever that an HIV vaccine has shown such a meaningful result in a human clinical trial. The next step will be to progress this to final human trials and determine the optimum dose and dosing regime to further enhance the vaccine’s efficacy.”
Since the vaccine is synthetically manufactured, it will be inexpensive to produce and can be quickly manufactured in large quantities, making it viable for cost-effective widespread distribution in low-income countries.
Final human trials are due to take place in 2012/13. If successful, the vaccine could be available to patients in 3-5 years time.
Ends
Notes to Editors
1. Image caption: The vaccine (bottom left) working on the HIV virus
2. The study was conducted at six centres across the UK:
• North Manchester General Hospital;
• Grahame Hayton Unit of the Royal London Hospital;
• Elton John Centre at the Royal Sussex County Hospital;
• Royal Hallamshire Hospital, Sheffield
• St. Stephen’s Centre at the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, London; and
• St. Thomas’ Hospital, London
3. About SEEK
Founded in 2004, SEEK (formerly known as PepTcell) is a privately-owned and funded biopharmaceutical company specializing in immunology, with headquarters in London, UK. Using a pioneering scientific approach focused on its novel understanding of the molecular-level interactions between immune cells, SEEK aims to create breakthrough medicines that address major diseases in order to radically improve human health.
4. About HIV
Currently, there are more than 33 million people living with HIV/AIDS worldwide, according to the World Health Organization, the majority of them in sub-Saharan Africa. Since 1980 over 25 million people have died as a result of HIV/AIDS.