Althea To Manufacture AIDS Vaccine

Althea Technologies has been contracted by GeoVax Labs to manufacture its HIV-1 DNA (AIDS) vaccine. This vaccine will be utilized in GeoVax’s Phase II trials, which are planned to start in early 2008. GeoVax chose Althea as the contract manufacturer for its DNA vaccine based on Althea’s “extensive experience in the field of DNA vaccine manufacture and its regulatory compliance history,” according to a press statement.

GeoVax AIDS vaccines are designed to prevent development of AIDS caused by the virus known as HIV-1 by vaccinating individuals prior to infection with the AIDS virus. The GeoVax vaccine regimen employs a “prime-boost strategy.” Trial participants are administered the GeoVax HIV-1 DNA vaccine which “primes” the immune system followed by the GeoVax HIV-1 MVA (Modified Vaccinia Virus) boost. Both vaccines deliver over 50% of the AIDS virus components but cannot cause AIDS. Safety and immunological results from earlier as well as ongoing human trials have been very encouraging thus supporting planned acceleration of large scale Phase II studies, said a GeoVax statement.