World’s largest clinical trial for HIV vaccine called off in Seattle
Feb 3, 2020, 11:30 AM
Fred Hutchinson in Seattle. (Clayton Parker, Flickr Creative Commons)
The world’s largest clinical trial for an HIV vaccine is being ended in Seattle after results did not live up to expectations.
It was based at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, but a review last month found the experimental HIV vaccine was ineffective.
New patients cured of HIV as fight against AIDS continues
Mitchell Warren is executive director with the Aids Vaccine Advocacy Coalition.
“This is one of the most challenging viruses around to create a vaccine to protect, and this was a harsh reminder that this virus is smarter right now than we are in terms of developing a vaccine,” he said.
8 cases of HIV identified among homeless drug users
The Seattle study also involved more than 5,000 volunteers in South Africa, and cost $120 million.
Warren says there are more clinical trials underway.
