Memorandum for Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (Health Affairs)

MCMR-PLA
SUBJECT: HIV Vaccine Therapy Research
enthusiastic and the candidate vaccines should be tested in only
small animals by Dr. Kennedy. Tests in chimpanzees were not
recommended. The cost of this proposal can be significantly
reduced by the elimination of chimpanzee studies.
b. Dr. Koff (United Biomedicals Inc.).
Title: The Development of an Effective Vaccine, Post
Exposure Prophylaxis and Immunotherapy for Prevention and Control
of AIDS.
This comprehensive proposal includes seven major projects
at a total cost of $11 million. Each project was evaluated
individually; only two were considered relevant to the Request for
Proposal. Of these two, only Project 3 for the study of mucosal
immunity was scored in the highly meritorious range.
c. Dr. Satterthwait (Scripps Research Inst.).
Title: Conformationally Restricted Synthetic AIDS Vaccine
SDr. Satterthwait will study antigenic epitopes that conform
to monoclonal antibodies that neutralize HIV. The approach will
be applied to multiple types of HIV. The peer review panel was
impressed by the scientific expertise of the group and the demonstrated success of preparing one neutralizing antibody already.
The use of computer modeling is considered a major advantage of
this proposal.
4. An internal audit of the HIV Research Program by the Internal
Affairs Office, U.S. Army Medical Research and Materiel Command,
began on 6 December 1994. This audit will review funding for the
HIV Program from FY 85 to the present and will concentrate on FYs
93 and 94. The audit will be completed by 15 January 1995. The
results of this audit will determine if further investigation is
necessary.
5. The -military relevance of the HIV Research Program is being
revisited. This review will determine if adjustments in the POM
are appropriate. Information will be provided to you by 6 January
1995.
6. The point of contact at this Command is COL William H.
Bancroft, DSN 343-7567 or 301-619-7567.
RUSS ZAJTCHUK

Brigadier General, MC
Commanding