Call for an HIV Vaccine Enterprise in Science

Despite approximately 20 years of effort since the discovery of HIV, the world has no effective, preventive HIV vaccine. In the "Policy Forum" of the 27 June 2003 issue of the journal Science, many of the world's foremost HIV vaccine researchers and advocates describe the need for a global, public-private, HIV vaccine enterprise.

Harnessing the creativity of scientists working in multidisciplinary problem-solving consortia linked to vaccine development capabilities is the best way to drive the HIV vaccine discovery effort, according to the authors.

Richard Klausner and colleagues call for the creation of HIV vaccine development centers that could each rapidly and systematically advance the development of a particular HIV vaccine approach. A global network of these centers could speed existing vaccine development, and coordinate and nurture additional (badly needed) vaccine candidates. A standardized, preclinical evaluation system for candidate immunogens must be implemented.

This high level of standardization must flow into all three phases of clinical trials. Most of these clinical trials, according to the authors, should be carried out in developing countries where a vaccine will have the most benefit.

—Daniel Kane

26 June 2003