Initial data suggest that the MVA-CMDR developed by MHRP/NIAID is an ideal candidate for future prime-boost vaccination strategies
MHRP scientists, working with NIAID, have developed an attenuated viral vector—modified vaccinia Ankara—vaccine candidate, MVA-CMDR (HIV-1 CM235 env/CM240 gag-pol). A Phase I study conducted in the U.S. and Thailand showed the vaccine was safe, well-tolerated and immunogenic. Study results, presented at the 2009 AIDS Vaccine Conference, suggest that MVA-CMDR is an ideal candidate for future prime-boost vaccination strategies.
"CMDR stands for Chiang Mai Double Recombinant," according to Dr. Mary Marovich, Chief of the MHRP Department of Vaccine Research and Development. The HIV strain the vaccine was based on is from Chiang Mai, Thailand, and it was characterized by researchers at MHRP. She added that "this is one component of our heterologous vaccine strategy, which will encompass multiple inserts and vectors in a prime-boost format."
Scientists are working with two partners on the DNA prime for a combination vaccine strategy with MVA-CMDR. One vaccine combination has advanced to human clinical testing in both Europe and Africa, sponsored by the Karolinska Institute and funded by the European Commission. MHRP has also been working with the University of Pennsylvania to develop another DNA prime, and is planning a 2010 Phase I clinical study with this DNA/MVA HIV vaccine in the U.S., Thailand and East Africa.