Immuno Cure Launches Research Facility for ICVAX® HIV Vaccine at CIITS, Strengthening Global Biomedical Innovation
HONG KONG SAR – Immuno Cure Group, based in Hong Kong Science Park, has inaugurated a new research facility dedicated to its HIV therapeutic DNA vaccine, ICVAX®. This facility, located at the Center of International Innovation for Technology and Science (CIITS) in Hetao, Shenzhen, is pivotal for advancing the clinical research and commercialization of ICVAX®. The vaccine aims to provide a functional cure for HIV infection without the need for antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Collaborative Efforts in HIV Research
The establishment of this facility is a collaborative endeavor involving prominent figures in the field. Notable advisors include Prof. Zhiwei Chen, Founding Director of the AIDS Institute at the University of Hong Kong, and Prof. Hongzhou Lu, President of the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen. Their expertise is expected to enhance the development of ICVAX®, which is designed to induce a robust immune response against HIV.
CIITS serves as a national platform for technological innovation, co-developed by Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Municipality, and Tsinghua University. It aims to foster significant advancements in biomedicine, high-performance materials, and artificial intelligence, thereby addressing major strategic needs at a national level.
The Urgent Need for Innovative HIV Therapies
Since the identification of AIDS in 1981, over 40.8 million individuals have succumbed to HIV-related complications, with more than 44.1 million currently living with the virus worldwide. While ART effectively manages HIV replication, it does not offer a cure, underscoring the pressing need for innovative immunotherapies. These therapies are designed to enhance the host’s immune response, potentially achieving sustained viral control and a functional cure without lifelong ART.
Immuno Cure’s ICVAX® is engineered to stimulate broad-spectrum, polyfunctional virus-specific T cells, aiming for a complete viral suppression and a functional cure for HIV infection.
Clinical Trials and Future Prospects
Immuno Cure successfully completed the first-in-human Phase I clinical trial of ICVAX® in November 2024, demonstrating promising safety and immunogenicity profiles. The company is set to launch two multi-center Phase II clinical trials in Q2 2026. These trials will be randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, conducted at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong and eight leading hospitals across China, including Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital and Beijing Ditan Hospital.
Standardized testing systems for evaluating immunological and virological indicators are critical for the success of HIV vaccine trials. However, the absence of domestic standard operating procedures (SOPs) for infectious samples poses challenges to the clinical development and regulatory approval of innovative therapies like ICVAX®. The CIITS facility aims to establish an internationally aligned clinical testing system for T-cell immunogenicity and viral reservoirs, addressing this technical gap.
Leadership Insights on Project Development
Dr. Xia Jin, CEO of Immuno Cure, expressed enthusiasm about leading this significant project at CIITS. He acknowledged the support from CIITS, including modern laboratory facilities and a funding commitment of RMB 10 million for the initial two-year phase. Dr. Jin emphasized the importance of developing a standardized testing regime that could enhance the quality of clinical trials for ICVAX® and potentially set industry and national standards for HIV/AIDS therapies.
Renchen Liu, Executive Deputy Dean of the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen and Director of CIITS, congratulated Immuno Cure on the facility’s inauguration. He highlighted CIITS’s commitment to providing full-chain incubation services, ensuring the project’s smooth progression through resource integration, talent development, and clinical collaboration.
Implications for Global Biomedical Innovation
As the project progresses, ICVAX® is poised to become the first therapeutic DNA vaccine capable of delivering an ART-free functional cure for HIV infection. This development not only offers hope to those living with HIV but also sets a precedent for the research and development of novel therapies targeting other infectious diseases.
The establishment of a standardized testing platform and a collaborative innovation model through this initiative could serve as a scalable blueprint for future biomedical research. These advancements will enhance the global competitiveness of biomedicine in the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and contribute to national biosecurity and public health resilience.
For more information on Immuno Cure’s initiatives, visit their official website. Source: www.zawya.com.
Keep reading for the latest cybersecurity developments, threat intelligence and breaking updates from across the Middle East.
