Nigeria and seven other African countries are leading HIV Vaccine Development in Africa. The USAID-funded initiative, led by the BRILLIANT consortium, has participants from eight African countries under the South African Medical Research Council. The Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) is the sole West African site.
The executive director of IHVN’s International Research Center of Excellence, Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, said the consortium, led by African women scientists, brings together researchers from eight African countries. It aims to catalyse African-led efforts toward an effective HIV vaccine.
Prof. Abimiku disclosed this on Thursday at the HIV-VISTA study press briefing organised by the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA) in Abuja. She said, “Rapidly evaluate “African” immunogens by doing discovery and pre-clinical evaluation utilising mRNA technology evolving on our continent.
” She stated that this partnership underscores Africa’s potential for innovation and science to solve global health challenges. Collaborating with countries like South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe allows them to leverage the continent’s rich expertise and resources to address the HIV epidemic from within. Spearheaded by the president of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), Professor Glenda Gray, and supported by the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), the initiative is set to revolutionise HIV prevention on the continent.
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