AIDS Vaccine Panel Discussion [Minutes]

7-APR-97 PACHA AIDS VACCINE PANEL DISCUSSION - p. 18

Baltimore to lead the effort -- if it's only in the institute, how do we assure that issues
related to liability, that issues related to industry, who's going to pay for this, and so
forth -- how can that get handled through, as an example, NIH?
DR. PAUL: Well, of course, we see and the National Institute of Health's principal role is
research for vaccine concepts and development. We would have to say that at the level
of liability and things of this sort, this really is an area that we don't believe is our
principal strength, and we believe there are other elements in government that can play
a more important role. But we would see that the coordination of the research effort
could well be achieved by interactions that would center around the AIDS Vaccine
Research Committee chaired by Dr. Baltimore.
I think there are ample opportunities to bring in representation from the other
agencies at a working level, which is, I think, the most valuable way to do it.
DR. LEVINE: All right. Let's move ahead. The next grouping will start with Dr. Johnston.
Peggy Johnston is scientific director of International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, founded
by Rockefeller and Until There's A Cure Foundation. She was former deputy director
of the Division of AIDS, NIAID, has been a manager of NIAID activities in discovery
and preclinical evaluation of therapies related to HIV. Dr. Johnston?
DR. JOHNSTON: Thank you. I'm very pleased to be here this morning to join this
distinguished panel of individuals who share a dedication to HIV vaccine development.
My formal remarks, copies of which will be distributed during the break, will cover
three topics. First, I will review why the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, or
IAVI, came into being and what we hope to accomplish. Second, I will suggest that
success in HIV vaccine development will require that the U.S. increase its leadership
and participation in international HIV vaccine development and find ways to attract
additional investment and involvement of the private sector. Third, as requested, I'll
comment on the draft recommendations from the Research Committee.
As a starting point, I'd like to assume that the committee believes that an HIV
vaccine is essential and that it is possible.
IAVI was formed 15 months ago, following 2 years of international
consultations with all sectors involved and/or interested in HIV vaccine development.
These consultations were organized by the Rockefeller Foundation in New York and
the Merieux Foundation in France. The conclusions from these consultations were (1)
that there was insufficient attention being paid to HIV vaccine development in general,
(2) that the talents of the private sector were not sufficiently engaged, (3) that
development of vaccines appropriate for developing countries was being virtually
ignored, and (4) that a non-profit could impact these issues through activities that were