The first and only preventative HIV vaccine based on a genetically-modified, "killed whole" virus has received approval by the Food and Drug Administration to start human clinical trials. Tests have shown that the vaccine causes the body to produce antibodies to the HIV virus and to prevent infection from the virus.
Developed by Dr. Chil-Yong Kang and his team at The University of Western Ontario, with the support of Sumagen Canada, the vaccine (SAV001) holds tremendous promise, having already proven to stimulate strong immune responses in preliminary toxicology tests with no adverse effects or safety risks. It is one of only a few HIV vaccines in the world.
