The contract is under a master agreement with the National Institutes of Health and funded by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases.
Current vaccine production methods are cumbersome and not ideal for an HIV vaccine because of various production and safety concerns. However, plasmid DNA vaccines are an attractive alternative because the vaccines produced are noninfectious, and the manufacturing processes are straightforward and economical. The other significant benefit of this production method is a shelf-life appropriate for public health programs.
Under the multi-year contract, Althea will be supporting a larger vaccine development program which is part of an international effort to combat AIDS. This effort is in conjunction with the South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative.
Anthony Fauci Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, noted on World AIDS day that, “a key component of the trans-NIH effort is the development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine. This crucial tool of prevention has thus far been elusive, but with ongoing research and collaborations and clinical trials of promising vaccine candidates, researchers are moving closer to this ‘holy grail’ of HIV/AIDS prevention.”
Co-President and co-CEO of Althea, Dr Magda Marquet, stated “AIDS is a devastating world pandemic and it is our hope that utilizing this new innovative technology will make a positive difference in this fight.”