Hopes for an effective TB vaccine

Mike Brennan, senior advisor for global affairs at Aeras, a non-profit organisation dedicated to developing a TB vaccine, said the blueprint recommends an intensified international effort to develop TB vaccines.

In South Africa, which has one of the highest incidences of TB in the world, local scientists have begun to play an increasing role in vaccine research. There are currently five TB vaccine trials underway in the country. Dr Hassan Mahomed, academic team leader at the South African TB Vaccine Initiative, told Mail and Guardian local researchers were making history in TB development. "For the first time we will have efficacy results, [and see] whether this trial prevents TB." He added that research is greatly bolstered by the country's skilled scientists, good infrastructure and capable regulatory authorities, who are well placed to oversee trials and evaluate their results.

Recently, Bizjournals.com reported that the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has committed up to $220 million for the next five years to Aeras, reinforcing the Gates Foundation's ongoing backing of Aeras, who has been involved in developing several mid- and early-stage TB vaccine candidates through pharmaceutical and academic partnerships. The $220 million represents about half of what Aeras needs to meet its vaccine development targets through 2016.

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