AUSTRALIAN FIRM TO TEST HIV VACCINE IN SOUTH AFRICA

Australian pharmaceutical company Virax has filed a clinical trials application with the South African Medicines Control Council for approval to conduct a Phase I/IIa trial of its VIR201 HIV vaccine.

Some of South Africa's leading HIV/AIDS clinicians have helped to develop a VIR201 trial protocol suitable for South African patients.

While the council reviews the application, Virax will continue to work with contract research organization Quintiles to choose sites and laboratories to support the trial. The company expects that the trial will be conducted in five well-established South African HIV clinics.

Seven international companies have pledged funding to support the trial, including BHP Billiton. An independent charitable trust has been established to receive the funding, following the council's approval to proceed with the trial.

Virax is also planning to submit an application to the FDA to conduct a Phase II trial of the vaccine in the U.S.