Ugandan Site Added to Phase II Trial for HIV Vaccine Candidate Targeting Subtype C

The Uganda Virus Research Institute, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative and Seattle-based Targeted Genetics on Monday announced that they added a site in Uganda to the first Phase II clinical trial testing the vaccine candidate tgAAC09, which targets HIV subtype C, United Press International reports (United Press International, 2/6). IAVI in November 2005 announced the participation of three sites in South Africa for the 18-month, 78-patient trail, which will test the safety and efficacy of tgAAC09, created by Targeted Genetics. The vaccine -- which cannot cause HIV infection -- is made to elicit two different types of immune responses, an antibody response and a cell-mediated response, to fight off HIV. The vaccine already has been tested in Phase I trials in Belgium, Germany and India (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 11/16/05). The Ugandan portion of the trial will take place at the UVRI in Entebbe (United Press International, 2/6). IAVI President and CEO Seth Berkley said Uganda is a good environment for HIV vaccine trials and research because of a supportive government and high awareness of HIV/AIDS among residents (Xinhuanet, 2/9). A trial to test the vaccine at a site in Zambia is pending regulatory approval (Targeted Genetics release, 2/6). HIV subtype C is the most common strain found among people living in Southern and Eastern Africa (Xinhuanet, 2/9).