Despite over thirty years of global research, a successful vaccine to prevent the transmission of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) has yet to be identified. Researchers at Particle Sciences, a contract research organization for the pharmaceutical and the biotech industries, has taken a nanoparticle-based approach to the problem in collaboration with leading virologist Robin Shattock at St. George’s University.
The researchers reportedly have found that their chosen vaccine antigen is significantly more potent in raising antibodies when given to mice if first combined with Particle Sciences’ proprietary nanoparticles. In the best formulations, antibody titers were as high as those measured when the antigen was combined with alum adjuvant, the gold standard used to boost immunogenicity in many commercial vaccines. Dr. Andrew Loxley, Manager of Special Projects at Particle Sciences presented the team’s latest findings at the Global AIDS Vaccine Enterprise 2007 meeting in Seattle on August 22nd. For more information, visit www.particlesciences.com.
