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AFX News Limited
China touts initial success with first AIDS vaccine
08.20.2006, 08:28 AM

BEIJING (AFX) - China said initial test results of its first AIDS vaccine showed it could protect people against the HIV virus.

None of the participants in the clinical trial's first phase showed severe adverse reactions after 180 days and some showed immunity to the HIV-1 virus 15 days after receiving the vaccine, the State Food and Drug Administration said.

'Initially, this indicates the vaccine is effective in stimulating the body's immunity,' the administration said in a statement on its website.

Researchers are still analysing the outcome of the initial trial before deciding whether further tests would be carried out, it said.

Kong Wei, the research team leader from Jilin University, told China Daily the initial results were 'truly inspiring' although he said it is still too early to claim success.

The first phase tests began in March last year in southwestern China's Guangxi region, with 49 healthy men and women aged between 18-50 participating, the newspaper said.

The Ministry of Science and Technology said another 800 volunteers, including those from high-risk groups, will be needed for the second and third phases of the trial, the report added.

However, testing to ensure the vaccine's safety and effectiveness could take years.

China started its own research into an AIDS vaccine in 2003 and has already invested over 100 mln yuan into projects for the treatment and prevention of the disease, China Daily said.

vy/skj