Accelerating the development of an AIDS vaccine: the AIDS vaccine for Asia Network (Avan).
HIV/AIDS is a major public health problem worldwide, especially in developing countries. The development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine is central to stopping the epidemic and would be a great public health tool. The AIDS Vaccine for Asia Network (AVAN) is a group of concerned investigators committed to assisting regional and global HIV vaccine efforts. AVAN's focus on improving the coordination and harmonization of research, ethical reviews, clinical trial capacity, regulatory frameworks, vaccine manufacturing, community participation, and government advocacy could help accelerate HIV vaccine efforts in the region. At a meeting in November 2010, researchers from various countries in Asia presented their progress in HIV vaccine research and development. Six working groups discussed the current status, gaps and methods to strengthen capacity and infrastructure in various areas related to AIDS vaccine research and development. These discussions led to the development of prioritized action plans for the next 5 years. This report describes the gaps and challenges HIV vaccine research faces in the region and recommends improvement and standardization of facilities, and coordination and harmonization of all activities related to AIDS vaccine research and development, including possible technology transfer when a vaccine becomes available.
Faculty of Tropical Medicine, Mahidol University, Bangkok. tmppt@mahidol.ac.th
Punnee
P
Pitisuttithum
Supachai
S
Rerks-Ngarm
Joseph
J
Chiu
Jerome
J
Kim
Michael
M
Benenson
Stephen J
SJ
Kent
Hiko
H
Tamashiro
Amapola
A
Manrique
Alan
A
Bernstein
Rajat
R
Goyal
Rossana A
RA
Ditangco
David A
DA
Cooper
Saladin
S
Osmanov
Bonnie
B
Mathieson
Eric
E
Sandstrom
Jose
J
Esparza
Rodney
R
Hoff
Yiming
Y
Shao
D016915:AIDS Vaccines; D001208:Asia / Q000453:epidemiology; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000592:standards; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003906:Developing Countries; D014943:Global Health; D006678:HIV / Q000276:immunology*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000276:immunology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation
D016915:AIDS Vaccines