Novel HIV Vaccine Candidate Produces Positive Phase 1 Results

LinKinVax today announced the interim results of a double-blind, Phase I clinical trial evaluating CD40.HIVRI.Env, a preventive HIV vaccine candidate.

The ANRS VRI06 study's initial results, published on February 22, 2023, show that the vaccine candidate was safe and induced an early, significant, and sustained immune response.

The vaccine yielded high levels of antibodies directed against the HIV envelope: 

• 80-100% at Week 6,
• 100% at Week 26 in all groups (0.3, 1, and 3 mg).
• These levels remained stable or dropped slightly until Week 48.
• Antibodies targeting a specific area of the HIV envelope (V1/V2 region) were also produced.

Furthermore, at Week 26, neutralizing antibodies were detected in 50% of subjects in the 0.3 mg group and 100% of subjects in the other two groups.

The observed counts of CD4+ T cells targeting specifically the HIV envelope protein produced after the vaccination remained stable until Week 48.

Prof. Yves Lévy, Executive Director of the Vaccine Research Institute and CMSO of LinKinVax, commented in a press release, "The immune response profile generated by this vaccine (antibody response and activation of polyfunctional CD4+ T cells) was the one associated with a reduced risk of HIV infection in the RV144 trial."

"However.... the efficacy of this vaccine will only be evaluated in the Phase II/III studies."

LinKinVax's vaccine platform is built around a humanized monoclonal antibody, which is merged with regions of pathogens of interest, targeting the CD40 molecule expressed by dendritic cells, DC, which play a key role in stimulating the immune system. 

André-Jacques Auberton-Hervé, Co-founder and CEO of LinKinVax, added, "We are pleased with these very promising immunogenicity results, which demonstrate the robustness of our DC Targeting vaccine platform and confirm its safety."

"This important milestone paves the way for the upcoming Phase II/III clinical studies that we will conduct once the final Phase I results has been obtained."

"These studies will aim to demonstrate the efficacy of the vaccine, the "Everest of vaccine strategies," which has been the elusive goal of HIV research for the past 40 years."

Other HIV vaccine development news is posted at Precision Vaccinations.