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. 2024 Dec;13(1):2384460.
doi: 10.1080/22221751.2024.2384460. Epub 2024 Aug 12.

Biotech's role in advancing HIV vaccine development

Roger Tatoud  1 , Christian Brander  2 , Carey Hwang  3 , Jo Kennelly  4 , Shan Lu  5 , Kevin O'Neil  6 , Jeffrey T Safrit  7 , Iris Benhayoun  5 , Julieta Firmat  8 , Nelli Barriere  8
Affiliations

Biotech's role in advancing HIV vaccine development

Roger Tatoud et al. Emerg Microbes Infect. 2024 Dec.

Abstract

HIV vaccine development has been hindered by significant challenges over four decades. Despite persistent efforts, all efficacy trials to date have yielded disappointing results. This has pushed the field back to the discovery phase and created uncertainty about the future involvement of large pharmaceutical companies. Currently, the HIV vaccine landscape is dominated by startup biotech firms, which face a complex array of obstacles. These include evolving HIV prevention methods, waning interest in vaccine research, and difficulties securing sustainable funding. This viewpoint explores the challenges faced by these biotech companies and the support mechanisms necessary for their continued involvement in HIV vaccine development. By leveraging insights from both pharmaceutical and biotech sectors, we propose a multi-faceted approach that includes enhanced communication, fostering innovation, and implementing strategic funding models.

Keywords: HIV; HIV vaccine; biotech; pharmaceutical industry; research and development.

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Conflict of interest statement

RT: The author declares that they have no competing interests. CB: Co-founder, shareholder and CSO at AELIX Therapeutics. CH: Employee and stockholder of Vir Biotechnology, Inc. JK: Founder, Executive Chair, Malaika Vx, Inc. SL: Editor-in-Chief of EMI; recuses himself from the editorial review of this manuscript. KO: Employee at Uvax Bio. JTS: Employee and stockholder of ImmunityBio. IB: Employee at Worcester HIV Vaccine. JF: The author declares that they have no competing interests. NB: The author declares that they have no competing interests.

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