Breaking Barriers: Africa Develops Homegrown HIV Vaccine

Nigeria and Seven Other African Nations Unite to Develop Local HIV Vaccine

“These new project funds will be directly applied in Africa and substantial in-kind resources...”

Nigeria & 7 African nations unite to develop locally-driven HIV vaccine, empowering African scientists & tackling regional challenges.

Nigeria is taking a significant step towards combating HIV/AIDS by joining forces with seven other African countries to develop a local HIV vaccine. This collaborative effort aims to strengthen Africa's capacity to combat the disease and reduce reliance on international aid.

Participating Countries:

• Nigeria
• Seven other African nations (names not specified)

The initiative is part of a broader strategy to enhance local research and development capabilities, building on existing efforts such as the Walter Reed Program-Nigeria, which has been working to develop sustainable research infrastructure for HIV vaccine trials since 2005.

Objectives:

Develop a locally produced HIV vaccine

Enhance Africa's research and development capabilities

Reduce reliance on international aid

This groundbreaking collaboration has the potential to save countless lives and improve the quality of life for millions of people across Africa.

Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique have made a groundbreaking move in the fight against HIV/AIDS by launching a locally-driven research and development initiative for an HIV vaccine. This exciting announcement was made on November 7 during a press briefing in Abuja, Nigeria.

The initiative is part of the 'HIV Vaccine, Innovation, Science and Technology Acceleration in Africa (HIV-VISTA) Project', which aims to empower and mobilize African scientists to develop an effective, Africa-led HIV vaccine. This project is made possible through the 'Bringing Innovation to Clinical and Laboratory Research to End HIV in Africa through New Vaccine Technology' (BRILLIANT) Consortium.

By leveraging local expertise and resources, these eight African countries are taking ownership of their HIV/AIDS research and development. This collaborative effort has the potential to save countless lives and improve the quality of life for millions of people across Africa.

Key Objectives of the HIV-VISTA Project:

Empower African scientists to develop an effective HIV vaccine

Mobilize local resources for HIV/AIDS research and development

Develop an Africa-led HIV vaccine through the BRILLIANT Consortium

Improve the quality of life for millions of people across Africa

This initiative is a significant step forward in the fight against HIV/AIDS, and we can expect exciting developments from this project in the years to come.

Professor Glenda Gray, CEO and President of the South African Medical Research Council, is leading the charge in developing an HIV vaccine specifically for Africa. This effort is crucial, as the World Health Organization has identified HIV, malaria, tuberculosis, and 14 other pathogens as top priorities for new vaccine development. The numbers are staggering - in 2023, approximately 39.9 million people worldwide were living with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections reported.

Africa bears the brunt of the HIV epidemic, with 25.9 million cases, accounting for 65% of the global total. Nigeria alone has 1.9 million cases, making it the country with the fourth-highest HIV burden globally. To combat this, Nigeria has joined forces with seven other African countries - South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique - to develop an effective HIV vaccine.

Facts:

HIV Burden: 39.9 million people worldwide live with HIV, with 1.3 million new infections in 2023 

African Impact: 25.9 million HIV cases in Africa, accounting for 65% of global total 

Nigeria's Burden: 1.9 million HIV cases, ranking 4th globally 

Collaborative Effort: 8 African countries working together to develop HIV vaccine 

This collaborative effort, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), aims to develop a vaccine tailored to Africa's unique challenges. With Professor Gray at the helm, the project is poised to make significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS.

Africa carries a significant portion of the global HIV burden, with approximately 25.9 million cases, accounting for 65% of the total. Nigeria alone has around 1.9 million cases, making it the fourth-largest country in terms of HIV cases. To combat this epidemic, an effective HIV vaccine is crucial to supplement existing prevention methods and reduce transmission.

In a major boost to HIV research, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has awarded over $45 million to the BRILLIANT consortium. This funding supports a cooperative agreement under the HIV-VISTA project, aimed at developing an HIV vaccine specifically for Africa. The BRILLIANT consortium brings together partners from eight African countries, including Nigeria, South Africa, Kenya, Mozambique, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Objectives of the BRILLIANT Consortium:

Assess HIV vaccine candidates developed on the African continent

Develop a HIV vaccine pipeline that originates from Africa

Advance at least one HIV vaccine candidate into early phase clinical trials

Led by Professor Alash'le Abimiku, Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence (IRCE) at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), the consortium aims to harness African scientific talent to create an effective HIV vaccine. With this collaborative effort, Africa is taking significant strides towards combating the HIV epidemic and improving the lives of millions affected by the disease.

She said, “Activities supported under the HIV-VISTA project will be implemented exclusively in Sub- Saharan Africa, which is the geographical area in the world with the highest burden of HIV.

“These new project funds will be directly applied in Africa and substantial in-kind resources are being leveraged.

“This more powerful collaboration with a greater number of partners, and uncanny goodwill, promises to deliver results while disallowing the diversion of funds back to the United States.

“Through these efforts, African institutions will be encouraged to become more autonomous, generate domestic resource support, form partnerships with the private sector, and possibly create a more sustainable system for HIV vaccine R&D. which is progressively and inordinately dependent on the U.S government.”

“This is a true partnership that acknowledges the potential of great innovation and science from Africa to solve global health challenges, especially those that disproportionately devastate the continent.” This statement highlights the importance of collaboration and recognition of Africa's potential in addressing health challenges.

She said, “HIV remains a significant challenge in Nigeria.

“Despite our progress in reducing new infections and controlling the virus, the HIV epidemic persists, hence requiring new tools for prevention.

“NACA has continued to provide current prevention measures, but an effective vaccine is crucial to our efforts.

“The HIV-VISTA study offers hope for a vaccine tailored to the needs of our population, and Nigeria's involvement in this global initiative is critical.

“Our participation supports both local and international efforts to end AIDS and brings us closer to a vaccine that could save countless lives across Africa and beyond.

“We are confident in the scientific integrity of this initiative and fully support its goals. provided they remain aligned with Nigeria's national interests.”

Dr. Temitope llori, Director General of NACA, expressed optimism about the HIV-VISTA study, emphasizing its potential to yield a vaccine tailored to the specific needs of the population. This initiative is a significant step towards combating the HIV epidemic, particularly in Africa, where nearly 40 years of research have yet to produce a preventive vaccine. The HIV-VISTA study aims to change this narrative by empowering local scientists to develop and test innovative vaccine candidates.

Major Aspects of the HIV-VISTA Study:

Local Leadership: The study is led by African scientists, ensuring that the vaccine is designed with the region's unique challenges in mind.

Innovative Approach: The initiative encourages creative collaborations and leverages local resources to accelerate vaccine development.

Global Impact: A successful vaccine would not only benefit Africa but also contribute to global health security.

By investing in local research and development, the HIV-VISTA study represents a critical shift towards sustainable solutions for HIV prevention and treatment.

“USAID looks forward to the outcomes of this study and for the combined efforts to achieve HIV epidemic control,” He said.

Dr. Leo Zekeng, UNAIDS Country Director, stresses the vital role of community involvement in spreading awareness about HIV vaccines and ongoing research efforts to curb HIV transmission rates. By engaging communities, we can ensure that those most affected by the epidemic are empowered to take ownership of their health and well-being. This inclusive approach fosters trust, addresses concerns, and ultimately enhances the effectiveness of HIV prevention and treatment initiatives.

Benefits of Community-Led Responses:

Improved HIV-Related Knowledge: Community-led initiatives have been shown to increase awareness and understanding of HIV, dispelling myths and misconceptions.

Enhanced Access to Services: Community-led organizations can provide culturally sensitive and targeted interventions, reaching marginalized populations that might otherwise be left behind.

Increased Adherence to Treatment: Community support and peer-led initiatives have been linked to better treatment adherence and viral suppression.

By recognizing the value of community involvement, we can accelerate progress toward ending the HIV epidemic. Dr. Zekeng's emphasis on community engagement is a crucial step in this direction, ensuring that HIV research and awareness efforts are informed by and responsive to the needs of those most impacted.