An HIV Vaccine Could be Available by 2020

Following World AIDS Day, which was December 1, is news that by 2021, there may be an HIV vaccine available that prevents any rebuilding of the HIV/AIDS virus in the body. American Gene Technologies (AGT), a Maryland-based gene therapy company, have announced they have discovered a potential cure for HIV.

Despite the technology available via medication to prolong the lifespan of HIV/AIDS individuals, the virus can come back. This can be caused by two things: any viral resistance (killing of the cells any medications built up) or if meds were interrupted, no matter how long anyone had been taking their medication. What this new gene therapy will be doing will be replacing the CD4 T-Cells that help fight HIV/AIDS.

AGT hoped to construct a gene therapy that would make the body able rebuild its immunity on its own. By the end of the year, AGT anticipates hearing back from the FDA on approval of a human clinical trial. Upon this approval, enrollment for trial may be open by February 2020, and a cure may be available by 2021.

ClinicalTrials.gov has the details regarding study sites and participation. Keywords including “AGT103-T”, “AGT-HC168,” or “American Gene Technologies” may be used to search for this trial once the information is posted. 

BridgeHIV has been a leading, HIV-related research laboratory for the past four decades. Studies for HIV virus fighting meds that are currently enrolling for their studies can be found at https://helpfighthiv.org/our-research/.

The leader of research at BridgeHIV is Susan Buchbinder, MD. Dr. Buchbinder is also the chair for the Mosaico and Imbokodo trials that began in 2016. She and her team have led the way with effective HIV vaccines, the PrEP (Pre–Exposure Prophylaxis) medication, rectal and vaginal microbicides, vaginal rings, HIV self-testing, and AGT’s other HIV fighting tools.

Those at BridgeHIV have been leading the clinical trials of Imbokodo, a complimentary study in women that was launched in 2017, and Mosaico among men who have sex with men and transgender people. All studies are sponsored by Janssen Pharmaceutical Companies of Johnson & Johnson with funding support from NIH’s National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID).

‘This Phase 3 efficacy study will enroll 3,800 HIV-negative men and transgender people aged 18 to 60 years who have sex with men and/or transgender people,” the study explains. “It is anticipated to open for enrollment at clinical research sites in the United States later this year. In addition, clinical research sites in Argentina, Brazil, Italy, Mexico, Peru, Poland, and Spain will participate in the study.”

In Europe and the Americas, men who have sex with men and transgender people are disproportionately affected by HIV. In the United States, gay and bisexual men account for two-thirds of new HIV diagnoses, despite representing an estimated 4 percent of the population, and an estimated 14 percent of transgender women are living with HIV. In eastern and southern Africa, women and girls account for nearly 60 percent of people with HIV.