Johnson & Johnson (JNJ.N) said on Tuesday its experimental vaccine failed to provide sufficient protection against HIV in sub-Saharan Africa to young women who accounted for a large number of infections last year. The mid-stage trial failure highlights the challenges of vaccine growth, particularly for HIV or human immunodeficiency virus, which has no authorised vaccines.
Despite the discovery of effective treatments that can put the virus in remission, experts say an HIV vaccine is critical to eradicating the virus. The mid-stage study testing the J&J vaccine included 2,600 women participants across five Southern African countries, where women and girls accounted for over 60% of all new HIV infections last year. The trial of the vaccine, which relies on the adenovirus design which J&J’s COVID-19 vaccine additionally makes use of, was supported by the U.S. the Nationwide Institute of Allergy and Infectious Ailments and the Invoice & Melinda Gates Basis. The vaccine was found to be safe with no serious side effects reported, but the study will not continue based on the efficacy data, J&J said. Individuals within the research will probably be knowledgeable concerning the outcomes and advised whether or not they acquired a placebo or the vaccine. J&J mentioned it’s learning the protection and efficacy of a distinct composition of the vaccine routine amongst males who’ve intercourse with males and transgender individuals.
