KAVI Institute of Clinical Research launches IAVI W001 study

The first volunteer enrolled in IAVI-W001 receives the study vaccine.

KAVI Institute of Clinical Research enrolled the first volunteer to start a phase 1 clinical trial to test a novel HIV vaccine candidate, BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140.

The study dubbed the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative W001 (IAVI W001) is aimed at assessing the safety of the candidate and to determine if vaccination induces the human immune system to produce proteins known as neutralizing antibodies (NAbs).

The study which was launched on 24th September, 2019 marks the beginning of the 12th HIV vaccine clinical trial to be conducted at KAVI-ICR since 2001.

This is a first-in-human study that uses a Native-trimer HIV envelope design that will hopefully stimulate broadly neutralizing antibodies against HIV.

KAVI-ICR joins two other research institutes – The Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard and the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center-Seattle HIV Vaccine Unit- both in the USA which have already enrolled volunteers into the study.

This study also marks a critical milestone of longstanding support from the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) which spans over 20 years.

HIV continues to devastate communities in Africa in spite of the strides made in prevention and treatment and even as the prospect of developing a vaccine against HIV/AIDS remains challenging, KAVI-ICR and its partners remain singularly focused in achieving this goal.

KAVI-ICR remains committed to supporting the global effort to develop a safe, effective and affordable HIV vaccine by collaborating with international partners to conduct high impact clinical research.

The IAVI W001 trial will enrol approximately 60 healthy adult volunteers in Seattle, Boston, and Nairobi. Participants will receive three administrations of BG505 SOSIP.664 gp140 formulated with the AS01B1 adjuvant developed by GSK, or placebo. Adjuvants are substances used to enhance immune responses induced by a vaccine, and the AS01 adjuvant is used in licensed vaccines. The vaccine candidate is administered through intramuscular injection. Teams at the trial locations will monitor participants to assess the vaccine candidate’s safety and ability to elicit immune system responses.

Results of the IAVI W001 trial are expected in 2020.

The work at KAVI-ICR would not be possible without the unwavering support from a dedicated team of peer recruiters from the various communities that have stood shoulder to shoulder with the staff at KAVI-ICR through the years.