February 28, 2014
IAVI 1Congratulates RTS,S on Positive Results
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) congratulates the sponsors of the RTS,S Phase III efficacy trial, who published yesterday initial results showing that the vaccine candidate reduced the risk of clinical malaria and severe malaria by 56% and 47%, respectively, among children aged 5-17 months over the first year following vaccination. This success demonstrates the power of the product development partnership model, bringing together a nonprofit (PATH Malaria Vaccine Initiative) with industry (GlaxoSmithKline) and African research centers in seven African countries to produce this advance. Malaria is estimated to kill about 780,000 people a year, most of them African children, and this achievement shows what can be accomplished when the power of science is focused on a pressing need.
ABOUT IAVI
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is a global not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world. Founded in 1996, IAVI works with partners in 25 countries to research, design and develop AIDS vaccine candidates. In addition, IAVI conducts policy analyses and serves as an advocate for the AIDS vaccine field. IAVI supports a comprehensive approach to addressing HIV and AIDS that balances the expansion and strengthening of existing HIV-prevention and treatment programs with targeted investments in the design and development of new tools to prevent HIV. IAVI is dedicated to ensuring that a future AIDS vaccine will be available and accessible to all who need it. IAVI relies on the generous donations from governments, private individuals, corporations and foundations to carry out its mission. For more information, see www.iavi.org.