Today, India began the first by clinical studies on humans an experimental vaccine candidate aims to prevent HIV / AIDS. The process is a partnership between the Government of India - by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and the National AIDS Control Organization (NACO) - and not-for-profit International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).

In announcing the negotiation of the European Union Ministers of Public Health and Family Help Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss, said: “The development of a vaccine for AIDS prevention is one of the most difficult scientific challenges of our time. It is also one of the most urgent health needs. Perseverance is the way forward And India has a long-term commitment. ”

IAVI board member and Minister of State, Science and Technology, Mr. Kapil Sibal, said: “Vaccine research is also important that the ministry of health and science and technology ministry, hands, in order to strengthen efforts to support it needs.”

Dr NK Ganguly, Director General of the ICMR, has sounded the process as part of the commitment, the Indian government to fight against the AIDS epidemic: “Our country is emerging as a global leader in the field of research Biomedical. With this first attempt to provide an Indian scientist makes an important contribution to the world a step closer to a vaccine against AIDS. ”

Dr SY Quraishi, Director General of NACO, said: “The process of launching is a great culmination of the tripartite partnership among ICMR, Naco and IAVI. We expect that further testing of candidate vaccines in the years to come, through this partnership. ”

More than 20 years after HIV / AIDS was identified, emerging infections in the world are a total of 14000 each day. Experts in public health are ok, it is essential that the development of a safe and effective vaccine.

The researchers followed several candidate vaccines at the same time, because he was not sure that many possible approaches can be effective.

Dr. Seth Berkley, president and CEO of IAVI, highlighted the need for a global partnership: “The partnership in India is an example of the kind of international cooperation is essential for finding a vaccine. We must work together to mobilize the best scientists in the fight against the epidemic. ”

The process of Pune

Phase I of the study began today at ICMR’s National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) in Pune, outside Mumbai, and test a vaccine candidate tgAAC09 appointed. Targeted Genetics Corp., Seattle, a biotechnology company and Columbus Children’s Research Institute (CCRI) in Ohio designed the vaccine candidate in partnership with IAVI.