Positive preclinical data for Mymetics HIV vaccine

Analysis of blood samples taken six weeks post-vaccination with virosome-gp41 peptides have revealed the presence of anti-gp41 antibodies (IgG and IgA), confirming previous data from rabbit models.

The immunization protocols will continue through early September 2006 in order to detect the production of secretory IgA antibodies in mucosal tissues, the primary route of infection and a first line of defense against HIV.

“At the mid-point of our non-human primate trials, we are greatly encouraged by the results, particularly in the ability to trigger protective antibodies against gp41 independently from gp120, another key target in HIV. Our ultimate goal is to initiate phase I human clinical trials by the end of 2007, pending the positive preclinical results,” said Dr Sylvain Fleury, Mymetics' chief scientific officer.

Mymetics' vaccine candidate combines the company's HIV-1 gp41-derived peptide antigen grafted onto biosynthetic spherical lipidic structures called virosomes, which are approved for human use.