Alongside leading HIV vaccine researchers, WHV joined the quest for a safe and effective HIV vaccine in 2018, when the small biotech company was founded in Worcester, MA by licensing the intellectual property for the vaccine candidate PDPHV from Dr. Lu’s lab at the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School. Since then, WHV has successfully undertaken a major product development campaign for the heterologous 5-plasmid DNA, quadrivalent gp120 protein vaccine and became the IND holder of the currently ongoing phase 1b trial WHV138. On HIV Vaccine Awareness Day 2023, we would like to recognize and thank the many volunteers of our trials, our clinical partners, investors, and renowned HIV experts on our team, without which the accomplishments of our vaccine development program would not be possible.
We at WHV are hopeful that PDPHV – targeting multiple subtypes of HIV-1 – can advance the HIV vaccine field towards finding a globally relevant, safe and effective HIV vaccine. Based on recent exploratory studies, WHV’s investigational product may be capable of eliciting immune responses that haven’t been seen since the RV144 trial. These remarkable preliminary immunogenicity data are resulting from the previously conducted HVTN124 trial, a phase 1a trial testing the safety and immunogenicity of PDPHV in a DNA prime – Protein boost approach. Preparations for efficacy trials to further confirm these preliminary data are in progress and will be conducted as soon as partnerships are established.
As Bill Clinton has declared over 25 years ago, “only a truly effective, preventive HIV vaccine can limit and eventually eliminate the threat of AIDS.” We at WHV are honored to participate in this mission and are eager to continue until the end of the HIV pandemic is accomplished.
