Accelerating HIV vaccine discovery and development may require paradigm shift
Canadian meeting of vaccine experts shows importance of innovation and collaboration
June 11, 2014 - Adopting existing innovative practices and forming broader collaborations may be needed to
accelerate HIV vaccine discovery, according to experts who recently met to discuss ways to overcome barriers in HIV vaccine development.
Twelve national and international experts in HIV and non-HIV vaccine discovery and development exchanged information from
the perspectives of basic science, regulatory affairs and industry at the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) Research and
Development Alliance Coordinating Office (ACO) Annual Meeting held in St. John's, Newfoundland on May 1, 2014. The CHVI is
the Canadian catalyst in the HIV vaccine effort.
The full-day event provided updated information about barriers to vaccine research and development and innovative approaches being
taken to overcome them. Key topics included optimizing efforts in HIV vaccine research and development, clinical trials and regulatory
practices, as well as perspectives from international organizations and industry on overcoming barriers.
"HIV vaccine research and development requires a collaborative, global effort where researchers, funders and industry work together
towards a common goal," says ACO Director Greg Hammond . "HIV vaccine research and development may further benefit from closer ties
to the research and development communities of non-HIV vaccines, where there is much in common and mutual benefits may be expected."
Although about 40 HIV-vaccine trials are in various stages of progress around the world, an effective universal vaccine has eluded
scientists since AIDS was first reported 33 years ago. The discussion at the ACO Annual CHVI R&D meeting identified some
possibilities for Canadian involvement in overcoming barriers. Some of the key points raised during the meeting included:
- Current and future non-vaccine prevention strategies against HIV infections will influence the design and implementation of future
HIV vaccine clinical trials.
- Canada has unique networks and expertise with clinical trials and research capacity.
- Regulatory harmonization/convergence and capacity building are essential for future clinical trials in developing countries.
- Building local and regional regulatory capacity is important for HIV vaccine clinical trials in Africa .
- International partnerships can facilitate improvements in regulation of diagnostic products and vaccines.
- Innovative manufacturing technologies being used for other vaccines offer many advantages and may have relevance to HIV vaccines.
- Collaboration and partnerships are key for HIV vaccine development.
The ACO will release a report on the meeting in the near future. Visit alliance-aco.ca for more information.
The CHVI is a five-year collaborative initiative between the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and represents a significant Canadian
contribution to global efforts to develop a safe, effective, affordable and globally accessible HIV vaccine. The ACO was established
by the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in 2011 at the International Centre for Infectious
Diseases (ICID), a not-for-profit, non-governmental organization based in Winnipeg, Manitoba . The ACO is funded by the
Public Health Agency of Canada .
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Contact:
Renée Barclay,
Communications Specialist, Alliance Coordinating Office, International Centre for Infectious Diseases,
Tel: 204-946-5157,
Email: aco-communications@icid.com
Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative Research and
Development Alliance Coordinating Office (ACO)
515 Portage
Avenue
Winnipeg MB. Canada
R3B
2E9
Tel: 204
-
946
-
0921
Fax: 204
-
946
-
0927
Website:.alliance-aco.ca
Reproduced with permission - "Alliance Coordinating Office"
Alliance Coordinating Office
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