Unmet need
Antiretroviral therapy has transformed HIV care but generally requires long-term administration.
Lead program · Investigational
Vaxiferon®
A novel combination approach for therapeutic vaccination in HIV.
- Therapeutic area
- HIV
- Stage
- Preclinical development
- Approach
- Composite vaccine concept
Investigational concept
Therapeutic vaccination combined with IFN-α modulation in HIV.
The therapeutic concept
Two components, one investigational vaccine concept
Two components that exist separately but have not, to date, been combined.
Component 01
HIV antigens
Designed to stimulate HIV-specific immune responses.
- Intended induction of HIV-specific CD8 responses
- Intended induction of anti-HIV neutralizing antibodies
- Investigated for activity against HIV reservoir cells
Component 02
Anti-interferon-α immunization component
Designed to modulate excessive IFN-α activity.
- Intended neutralization of elevated IFN-α levels
- Aimed at a more favorable immune environment
Intended directionHIV-specific immune stimulation
Intended directionIFN-α modulation in HIV
Rationale
Why Vaxiferon®?
Scientific observation
A small subset of people living with HIV can maintain unusual natural control of viral replication.
Therapeutic hypothesis
Modulating excessive IFN-α activity may support a more favorable immune environment for HIV-specific responses.
Vaxiferon® has not been shown to reproduce an elite-controller state in humans. Published experimental and translational studies are presented on the evidence page.
Scientific evidenceDevelopment objective
Support the immunological conditions required for durable control of HIV.
Vaxiferon® is investigational. Clinical efficacy has not been established and it is not an approved medicinal product.