U.S. Starts Initial Human Tests on New Type of AIDS Vaccine

The government began preliminary tests on humans Friday of a new type of AIDS vaccine that researchers hope may eventually provide protection against various strains of the virus that cause the deadly disease.

The National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases said researchers initially would give the vaccine to 36 healthy volunteers to test its safety and the subjects’ immune system response.

The vaccine, made by privately held United Biomedical Inc. of Hauppauge, N.Y., is a so-called “peptide vaccine” because it is based on a laboratory-synthesized protein fragment, or peptide.

“Peptide vaccines have two particular strengths: They are inexpensive and relatively easy to modify, to include new mixtures of peptides and those from different HIV strains,” said AIDS researcher Margaret Johnston at the agency.

Research indicates that there are at least five genetically distinguishable groups of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus.

The agency said United Biomedical eventually wants to develop a vaccine incorporating a mix of peptides capable of providing protection against all strains.