Dr. Lu has received IRB approval from the University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School (UMMS) to conduct ancillary antibody analyses using PBMC samples from the phase 1a HVTN 124 trial. This new research study, conducted in Dr. Lu’s lab at UMMS, will use B cell ELISPOT assay to better understand the dynamics of gp120-specific memory B cell responses elicited by WHV’s vaccine candidate PDPHV through the course of immunizations in HVTN 124.
Results from this study will inform the mechanisms for potent antibody responses against HIV-1 antigens used in the formulation of PDPHV and further help with the design of WHV’s product development program, including the design of future Phase 2 studies. New data resulting from this ancillary antibody study can provide very useful insights to the HIV vaccine field as the memory B cell development is pivotal for maintenance of serological memories after receiving the HIV vaccines.
WHV’s vaccine product PDPHV is a second-generation HIV-1 vaccine candidate that has shown excellent safety and immunogenicity results in the phase 1a trial HVTN 124 and is currently being tested in the phase 1b WHV138 trial to further study the vaccine safety and immunogenicity profile under a modified vaccination schedule. The polyvalent DNA/Protein HIV vaccine candidate consists of a 5-plasmid env (A, B, C, A/E) / gag (C) DNA vaccine and a 4-valent gp120 (A, B, C, A/E) Protein vaccine co-Administered with or without Adjuvant GLA-SE.
