HIV vaccine trials

Current recombinant gp120 HIV preventive vaccine candidate programs and development of other candidates currently under study should be continued, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases AIDS Research Advisory Committee recommends at a June 17 meeting. Furthermore, the committee advises that expanded clinical trials should be pursued "when another concept and/or compelling data from current or other studies are available." ARAC made its decision after hearing presentations from NIAID's HIV Vaccine Working Group, pre-clinical and clinical research updates, feasibility research updates, public comment and remarks from Genentech and Chiron-Biocine representatives- the manufacturers of the vaccine candidates under consideration for expanded trials. In a separate statement, ARAC notes that the recommendation is only applicable to studies of the products within the U.S. The committee's recommendation will be forwarded to NIAID Director Anthony Fauci, who will render a final decision