Infections Halt Merck HIV Vaccine Trial
Merck, the prominent pharmaceutical firm, has ceased trialling a new HIV vaccine – thought of by many as having huge potential in the fight to destroy AIDs. The drug manufacturer ended the trials after the vaccine was deemed ineffective. During the tests, it failed to stop HIV infecting the participants, which included homosexual men and workers within the sex trade. A decade in development, the drug had been regarded as highly significant by Merck.
The trial through which the HIV vaccine was tested was international, and commenced three years ago. 3,000 HIV-negative people participated – aged from 18 to 45 and from varied walks of life. According to Merck, 741 of these were administered the vaccine, of which 24 subsequently contracted HIV. 762 further participants were provided with a simulated vaccine, with 21 consequent HIV infectees. Following this, an independent assessment panel recommended the ceasing of the trail – highlighting how it was destined for failure.
The majority of those taking part were at significant risk of getting infected with HIV. As per Merck, they were given repeated advice regarding practicing safe sex.
The drug manufacturer’s vaccine ingredients included a frequently-observed cold virus augmented with copies of a trio of HIV genes. It was hoped that, when exposed to the vaccine's genetic content, the internal mechanisms in the bodies of those taking part would generate an immune response, leading to the identification and destruction of the cells in which the HIV virus was present.
The HIV Vaccine Trials Networks’ Sarah Alexander described the abandonment of the trial as “...a very sad day for the industry”. She continued: “...Merck's vaccine had shown an ability to turn on the immune system, which gave many people optimism it would work."
According to many doctors, the best method by which the proliferation of HIV could be controlled would be through combative vaccines.
Source – Pharmaceutical International’s Research and Development Analyst
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