In a landmark achievement for medical research in Kenya, the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) has successfully secured a substantial $45.6 million (Sh7 billion) grant from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to advance HIV vaccine research. The five-year funding is poised to revolutionize the fight against HIV/AIDS by potentially discovering an HIV vaccine tailored by African scientists to combat the circulating HIV viruses on the continent.
Led by a consortium spearheaded by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), KEMRI, in collaboration with the Walter Reed Project (WRP) Clinical Researchers, aims to develop a viable HIV vaccine candidate at KEMRI's Kericho laboratory. This collaborative effort will bring together scientists from various African countries, including Mozambique, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Professor Elijah Songok, Director-General of KEMRI, highlighted the project's significance in leveraging existing capacity, scientific expertise, and community engagement in sub-Saharan Africa. Drawing on lessons from seven previous attempts to develop an HIV vaccine, the initiative aims to refine and advance the most promising candidates toward clinical trials.
The USAID award, titled BRILLIANT (BRinging Innovation to Clinical and Laboratory Research to End HIV In Africa through New Vaccine Technology), represents a major milestone in localized research and development. Professor Songok underscored the importance of supporting African scientists and institutions to design and test HIV vaccine candidates that reflect the diversity of the region.
As part of the consortium, Kenyan scientists will collaborate on directing HIV vaccine development efforts, catalyst design, and identifying appropriate delivery mechanisms. The initiative encompasses basic science research, preclinical studies in animals, and clinical trials in humans across all research phases, from phase one to three.
Dr. Fredrick Sawe, Director of KEMRI-Kericho, emphasized the grant's substantial boost to strengthen the vaccine development process, potentially leading to the creation of a more effective vaccine for clinical trials.
KEMRI has been actively engaging with the Ministry of Health, county governments, and local communities, fostering specialized capabilities, capacity, and infrastructure dedicated to advancing HIV vaccine and therapeutics research. The groundbreaking research facilitated by the USAID grant holds immense promise in the global fight against HIV/AIDS, bringing hope for a brighter and healthier future for millions affected by the disease.
Article by RB Reporter
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