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For: The opinion Posted Jan 19, 2023, 0:28 am EST
The only one vaccine against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) which was already being tested in the last phases of clinical trials proved ineffective in protecting against acquiring the virus which can lead to AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome).
The Janssen pharmaceutical companies of johnson&johnsontogether with a consortium of global partners, today announced the results of an independent data review and scheduled from the Phase 3 Mosaic study (also known as HPX3002/HVTN706) of Janssen’s investigational HIV vaccine regimen.
Janssen Pharmaceuticals reported that unfortunately it was found that the vaccine that managed to reach the last phases of clinical trials not effective in preventing infection.
“The independent Data and Safety Supervisory Board (DSMB) of the study determined that the regime was not effective in preventing HIV infection compared to placebo among study participants. No safety issues with the vaccine were identified,” the pharmaceutical company said in a statement.
As reported by the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), the phase 3 clinical trial HPX3002/HVTN 706, or “Mosaic,” began in 2019, with the participation of 3,900 volunteers between 18 and 60 years of age in Europe, North and South America and completed vaccinations in October 2022.
“Based on the recommendation of the DSMB, the study will be discontinued. Participants are being notified of the findings, and additional analyzes of the study data are planned,” the NAID said in a statement.
The NIAID explained that in its scheduled review of the data, the DSMB determined that there were no security issues with the experimental vaccine regimen. However, the number of HIV infections was equivalent between the vaccine and placebo arms of the study.
Disappointment by the result
Representatives of the pharmaceutical company that spearheaded this effort to develop an HIV vaccine since 2019 they said disappointed with the result.
“We are disappointed with this result and we stand in solidarity with people and communities vulnerable to and affected by HIV,” said Dr. Penny Heaton, Director of the Global Vaccine Therapeutics Area at Janssen Research & Development, LLC.
Heaton added that they will continue working in innovation in the field of HIV and that he hopes that his advances will contribute ideas for future vaccines.
“We continue steadfast in our commitment to advancing HIV innovation, and we hope that the Mosaico data will provide insights for future efforts to develop a safe and effective vaccine. We are very grateful to our Mosaico partners and to the researchers, staff and study participants,” he concluded.
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