ASU researchers try to find a vaccine for HIV

It’s been 10 years in the making.

Researchers at Arizona State University have been trying to find the best vaccine possible for HIV. Professor and lead researcher Bert Jacobs said there has only been one other clinical trial that has proved somewhat effective. He said he hopes to improve on that.

“The reality is, getting an HIV vaccine has been the hardest thing any of us working in vaccines have really had to try to do,” Jacobs said.

Jacobs’ vaccine has only been tested on primates. So far he said the vaccine has given primates an improved immune response.

“This is a new enough concept that we have to ask, ‘Is this safe in humans?’ and that’s the key first question we have to ask,” said Jacobs.

Although the scientists are preaching caution, the vaccine may begin clinical trials on humans next year.