The GeoVax prototype DNA and MVA AIDS vaccines successfully protected rhesus macaque monkeys against AIDS when a highly virulent AIDS inducing virus (SHIV, a hybrid of simian and human immunodeficiency virus) was administered to the monkeys seven months after vaccination.
When administered to non human primates, the vaccines caused no significant side effects and they were protected from clinical signs of AIDS. This level of protection is comparable to the intrinsic viral control exhibited by approximately 1% of the human population that become infected with the HIV virus, but who do not develop clinical signs of AIDS.
The GeoVax DNA and MVA vaccination program stimulates broad animal T-cell and antibody immune responses to multiple HIV-1 proteins and we anticipate testing on humans to produce the same results.
Over 50% of the AIDS virus proteins are expressed by our DNA and MVA vaccines in vaccinated individuals. This high level of expression is anticipated to stimulate broad protective responses in the vaccinated individual thus preventing clinical disease.