Research contract
Dutch biotechnology company Crucell N.V. was awarded a US$ 16.2 million contract from the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, part of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH), for the design and development of an HIV vaccine. The contract will support a collaboration between Crucell and the Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center at Harvard Medical School and Charles River Laboratories Inc.
The programme will focus on the use of live viral vectors for the design and development of an HIV vaccine. A number of HIV genes will be tested for insertion into the vector, with the best antigens being selected for oneward development
The work will be supported by the NIAID's Vaccine Research Center, which will offer expertise on antigen design.
The contract provides for a full cost reimbursement plus a fixed-fee, up to the start of clinical trials. The NIAID HIV Vaccine Trials Network has expressed interest in performing clinical trials as soon as preclinical tests are completed and a clinical trial material is available.
"We are very grateful to the NIAID for their support and ongoing endorsement of our technology in the field of HIV vaccine development," said Crucell's Chief Scientific Officer, Jaap Goudsmit. "Multiple high-level vaccine initiatives are essential if we are to be successful in delivering the safe, effective and accessible HIV vaccine that the world needs so urgently."
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