------------------------------------------------------------
[link removed]


**
------------------------------------------------------------
February 3, 2020

Dear Advocates,

Today the US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced that HVTN 702, a large-scale HIV vaccine efficacy trial of a canary pox-based vaccine candidate, has stopped vaccinations because the vaccine does not prevent HIV ([link removed]) .

HVTN 702 ([link removed]) (also known as Uhambo) was stopped following a scheduled review by an independent data and safety monitoring board ([link removed]) . The review showed no significant difference between the two arms of the trial and importantly, no safety concerns. Trial participants are being informed of the stop and will remain in the study for follow-up.
* Read the NIAID press release ([link removed])
* Read the NIAID FAQs ([link removed])
* Read the AVAC press release ([link removed])

AVAC applauds the 5,407 trial participants in South Africa for their time and dedication, and the trial team for their hard work in conducting this trial and getting an answer quickly, even if it’s not the one we’d hoped for. The 252 new infections diagnosed across the study is yet another important reminder of the need for access to and uptake of current treatment and prevention options, like oral PrEP ([link removed]) , and for continued investments in the development of additional vaccine ([link removed]) [link removed] non-vaccine ([link removed]) options.

HVTN 702 is a Phase 2b/3 study testing a regimen adapted from the vaccine strategy tested in the RV144 Thai vaccine trial ([link removed]) , which showed roughly 30 percent lower infection rate ([link removed]) among volunteers who received the vaccine versus those who received the placebo.

The vaccine approach in HVTN 702 is different from that being tested in other large-scale vaccine efficacy studies HVTN 705/ HPX2008 ([link removed]) (the Imbokodo Study) and HVTN 706/HPX3002 ([link removed]) (the Mosaico study). It is also different from the planned PrEPVacc Study ([link removed]) , which will test yet another vaccine strategy along with oral PrEP. The stop of HVTN 702 does not affect these trials or any other HIV prevention efficacy trials taking place globally.

Look out for information about an upcoming global webinar next week to provide further updates!

As always, please contact us (mailto:[email protected]) with any questions.

Best,
AVAC

============================================================
Forward This Issue Do you know someone who might be interested in receiving this newsletter?
** Forward > ([link removed])

Unsubscribe You're receiving this because you signed up for our newsletter. Not interested any longer?
** Unsubscribe > ([link removed])

Contact Us T: +1 212 796 6423
E: ** [email protected] (mailto:[email protected])
W: ** www.avac.org ([link removed])
** ([link removed])
** ([link removed])
** ([link removed])