CDC study finds U.S. herpes rates remain high

by Pat Dulnier on March 9, 2010

Hsv2

HSV-2

Approximately 1 in 6 Americans (16.2 percent) between the ages of 14 and 49 is infected with herpes simplex virus type 2, according to a national health survey released March 9 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Crucell appoints new chief medical officer

by Pat Dulnier on March 8, 2010

Vaccine

LEIDEN, Netherlands — Dutch biopharmaceutical company Crucell announced March 8 that Jerald C. Sadoff was appointed chief medical officer will be a member of its management committee.

Pneumococcal conjugate vaccine beneficial in HIV, report says

by Tina Redlup on March 6, 2010

Hiv

HIV

A seven-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine can protect adults with HIV against recurrent pneumococcal infection, according to research published in the March 4 issue of the New England Journal of Medicine.

Cyto Pulse, Karolinska Institutet get clinical trial approval

by Paul Tinder on February 27, 2010

Dna

DNA

Cyto Pulse Sciences announced approval from the Swedish Medical Products Agency to conduct a phase I clinical trial evaluating an HIV/DNA vaccine in collaboration with the Karolinska Institutet and the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control.

Single-dose HIV DNA vaccine induces strong immune response in monkeys

by Paul Tinder on February 25, 2010

Hiv

HIV

For the first time researchers from the U.S. and abroad have shown that a single-dose HIV DNA vaccine can induce a long-lasting HIV-specific immune response in nonhuman primates.

Researchers' group slams decision to cancel HIV-vaccination facility

by Ted Purlain on February 24, 2010

Hiv

HIV

The head of an association that represents Canada's HIV researchers is criticizing a federal government decision to scrap plans for an $83.5 million facility that would manufacture potential vaccines.

AltraVax acquires technology platform for vaccine development

by Paul Tinder on February 22, 2010

Hepb

Hepetitis B

AltraVax Inc. has acquired a vaccine development technology package that gives AltraVax an exclusive license to develop vaccines for infectious diseases and is targeting influenza, a treatment for hepatitis B and HIV.

Virxsys researches using AIDS to fight AIDS

by Ted Purlain on February 19, 2010

Hiv

HIV

WASHINGTON — A company using genetically engineered versions of the AIDS virus says its unusual approach is getting some results, both for treating and perhaps as a vaccine against HIV.

AIDS vaccine effects may wear off, researchers say

by Tina Redlup on February 19, 2010

Niaid_logo

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

WASHINGTON — An AIDS vaccine that appears to have worked at least partly in Thailand may only temporarily protect patients, with the effects starting to wane after a year or so, researchers reported Feb. 18.

GeoVax Labs appoints vice president for research, development

by Paul Tinder on January 7, 2010

Hiv

HIV

ATLANTA — GeoVax Labs, a biopharmaceutical company that develops vaccines for diseases caused by HIV and other infectious agents, announced the appointment of a vice president of research and development.

Research reveals further progress toward AIDS vaccine

by Pat Dulnier on December 24, 2009

Hiv

HIV

PHILADELPHIA — Researchers from Thomas Jefferson University are one step closer to developing a vaccine against AIDS, the school announced Dec. 14.

Scientists spot source of hurdle to AIDS vaccine

by Pat Dulnier on December 18, 2009

Hiv

HIV

Researchers have identified the cause of a major hurdle in efforts to develop an AIDS vaccine, according to a report Dec. 18 in HealthDay News.

Women shy away from HIV vaccine trials, researchers say

by Paul Tinder on December 17, 2009

Hiv

HIV

Kampala, Uganda — Fewer women compared to men are willing to participate in trials for a potential HIV/Aids vaccine, researchers revealed Dec. 15.

Stem cells can be engineered to kill HIV, scientists show

by Ted Purlain on December 14, 2009

Hiv

HIV

Researchers have for the first time demonstrated that human blood stem cells can be engineered into cells that can target and kill HIV-infected cells — a process that potentially could be used against a range of chronic viral diseases.

NIAID trial of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine enrolling HIV-positive adults

by Paul Tinder on December 10, 2009

Niaid_logo

National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

HIV-infected adults are being recruited to participate in a clinical trial of 2009 H1N1 influenza vaccine, the National Institutes of Health announced Dec. 10.

New report shows 97 medicines and vaccines in development for HIV/AIDS

by Pat Dulnier on December 2, 2009

Fauci_anthony

Anthony Fauci

WASHINGTON, D.C. — America’s pharmaceutical research and biotechnology companies are testing 97 medicines and vaccines to treat or prevent HIV/AIDS and related conditions.

Bavarian Nordic will file for market approval for Imvamune in Canada

by Tina Redlup on December 2, 2009

Hedegaard_anders

Anders Hedegaard

KVISTGARD, Denmark — Bavarian Nordic A/S announced Nov. 30 that it expects to file a new drug submission for its third-generation smallpox vaccine, Imvamune with Health Canada in the second half of 2010.

Unknown disease affects more than 100 people, causes 3 deaths in Congo

by Pat Dulnier on November 27, 2009

Who

BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo — An unknown epidemic caused three deaths and affected more than 100 people in the last few days in the Republic of Congo.

World AIDS Day set for Dec. 1

by Tina Redlup on November 26, 2009

Hiv

HIV

World AIDS Day on Dec. 1 is intended to draw together people from around the world to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS and demonstrate international solidarity in the face of the pandemic, according to the World Health Organization.

New HIV infections reduced by 17 percent over 8 years

by Ted Purlain on November 26, 2009

Who

GENEVA and SHANGHAI — According to new data in the 2009 AIDS epidemic update, new HIV infections have been reduced by 17 percent over the past eight years, the World Health Organization and United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS announced Nov. 24.

Fighting tuberculosis should be priority, Fauci says

by Tina Redlup on November 20, 2009

Fauci_anthony

Dr. Anthony Fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci wrote this commentary, posted Nov. 17, for msnbc.com. He is director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases in Bethesda, Md.

HIV vaccine failure probably caused by virus used, new research says

by Pat Dulnier on November 18, 2009

Hiv

HIV

The recent failure of an HIV vaccine was probably caused by the immune system reacting to the virus “shell” used to transmit the therapy around the body, according to research published Nov. 16 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

Former President Clinton: There'll be AIDS vaccine before a cure

by Paul Tinder on November 16, 2009

Clinton_bill

President Bill Clinton

CHICAGO — Former President Bill Clinton says he believes there's going to be a vaccine for AIDS found before anyone discovers a cure for the disease, WBBM Radio reported.

Study of key HIV antibodies could lead to new vaccine design

by Paul Tinder on November 11, 2009

Alam

S. Munir Alam

A study of how the most robust antibodies work to block HIV as it seeks entry into healthy cells has revealed a new direction for researchers hoping to design an effective vaccine, ScienceDaily reported Nov. 10.

Brief shocks may deliver AIDS vaccines better

by Mary J. Lewis on October 27, 2009

Sandy_vasan

Sandhya Vasan

Brief electric shocks may help the body better respond to certain kinds of experimental AIDS vaccines, U.S. researchers said Oct. 22.

Understanding how Thai vaccine worked is priority

by Mary J. Lewis on October 26, 2009

Anthony_fauci

Dr. Anthony Fauci

The priority for AIDS virologists in coming months, a leading researcher said, is to find out exactly how the Thailand vaccine, which gave 30 percent protection against HIV, worked.