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March 22, 2002

INTERNATIONAL IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Trials for India-Specific AIDS Vaccine by 2003"

Hindu Business Line (www.blonnet.com) (03/15/02)

An India-specific AIDS vaccine is expected to be in Phase I clinical trials by early next year, according to Dr. Musa Samba Silla of the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI).  IAVI has a vaccine development arrangement with U.S.-based Therion Biologics to develop a vaccine specifically for HIV subtype C. Most other vaccines in current development respond to the subtype B, the most prevalent strain of HIV in the United States and Europe and other countries, but Indian biotech and pharmaceutical firms will subsequently seek to tap other markets where subtype C is common.

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