MHRP is dedicated to developing a safe and globally effective HIV vaccine to protect our Armed Forces wherever they may be deployed.
The Army-led RV144 “Thai Study” was the first clinical trial to show modest efficacy in preventing HIV infection. Study results showed that a preventive HIV vaccine is possible, and the landmark trial continues to provide scientific direction to help guide vaccine development and testing.
Planning for the Future
MHRP's ongoing work spans a continuum of research from basic and preclinical science, through Phase 1 development and more advanced efficacy trials.
MHRP is pursuing new immunogens and delivery platforms, which, combined with a more powerful adjuvant the Army has already developed, have the potential to generate broadly neutralizing antibodies to effectively prevent HIV.
The Program is collaborating with governmental, academic and industry partners to pursue vaccine candidates beyond the RV144 regimen. The Ad26/mosaic vaccine aims at global protection against multiple strains of HIV, and MHRP is currently collaborating with the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) to participate in the ongoing efficacy studies.
MHRP scientists are pursuing a variety other innovative products and strategies to approach the complex interactions between HIV and the immune system from many angles. Researchers are testing a novel adjuvant developed by MHRP scientists, called the Army Liposome Formulation (ALF), and an experimental combination HIV-heroin vaccine is advancing through safety studies. Other planned studies will examine the effects of rapid dose administration and fractional dosing.