Press Releases

August 2, 2008
A statement from Larry Corey, MD, of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network regarding the new HIV infection statistics released today by the Centers for Disease Control
"The federal government's ability to more exactly measure the number of new HIV infections in the United States annually is a great statistical tool - but that is all that it is. I interpret the new numbers this way: They remind us that HIV/AIDS continues to be a real public health problem in this country as well as in many developing nations around the globe."
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December 21, 2007
Information Regarding Trials using the MRK Ad5 gag/pol/nef Vaccine
A list of questions and answers about the latest findings regarding the STEP Study. The current STEP results suggest that people who got the vaccine might get infected with HIV more easily if they are exposed to it. We saw this trend toward more infections especially in the group of participants who had pre-existing immunity (antibodies) to adenovirus type 5 (Ad5), a cold virus.
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November 13, 2007
STEP Study Volunteers to be Informed Whether They Received Vaccine or Placebo
Merck & Co., Inc. and the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) today announced that study volunteers in the STEP study of Merck's HIV vaccine (V520) will be told whether they received vaccine or placebo, and all study volunteers will be encouraged to continue to return to their study sites on a regular basis for ongoing risk reduction counseling and study-related tests.
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November 7, 2007
Data from STEP Study Presented at Open Scientific Session Confirm Merck's Investigational HIV Vaccine was not Effective
The vaccine used in the STEP Study was not effective at either preventing infection in volunteers not previously infected with HIV or at reducing viral loads in those study volunteers who became infected with HIV during the trial.
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October 23, 2007
Update on the STEP and Phambili HIV vaccine trials
Based on a review of the STEP data, an independent DSMB has now concluded that there is no basis for anticipating more favourable results in the South African clinical trial known as HVTN 503, or the "Phambili" study. Therefore, the HVTN 503 oversight committee has permanently suspended immunisations and enrolment in the study in South Africa.
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September 21, 2007
Vaccination and Enrollment Are Discontinued in Phase II Trials of Merck's Investigational HIV Vaccine Candidate
The independent Data Safety Monitoring Board (DSMB) for STEP reviewed safety data and results of an interim efficacy analysis of the study, and recommended that vaccination be discontinued because the STEP trial will not meet its efficacy endpoints.
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February 8, 2007
Africa's first large-scale HIV Vaccine Study launches
The launch of the first large-scale study to evaluate a candidate HIV vaccine on the African continent was announced today by study collaborators in the United States and South Africa. The trial will involve up to 3,000 participants at five sites throughout South Africa.
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February 8, 2007
First large-scale study of HIV vaccine starts in South Africa
The South African AIDS Vaccine Initiative (SAAVI), which is supported by Eskom and the South African government, today announced the start of the first large-scale, test of concept HIV vaccine trial in South Africa.
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February 8, 2007
First Large-Scale HIV Vaccine Trial in South Africa Opens
A large-scale clinical trial of a candidate HIV vaccine—which previously showed promise in smaller studies in the United States and elsewhere—has now opened in South Africa.
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February 8, 2007
Archbishop Tutu endorses Phambili
Archbishop (emeritus) Desmond M. Tutu today announced his support of Phambili, the recently announced efficacy trial of an experimental vaccine to prevent infection with HIV.
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February 8, 2007
Statement of Loyiso Bala on the start of the Phambili HIV Vaccine Trial
Loyiso Bala, noted South African entertainer today issued the following statement regarding the commencement of the Phambili HIV vaccine efficacy trial.
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February 8, 2007
Freshlyground sings Cheers for Phambili
Freshlyground, winner of the MTV 2006 award for the Best Act in Africa, is pleased to voice its support for Phambili.
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