A $100 Million HIV Vaccine Project Failed. But All Hope Is Not Lost
The scientists believed that the HVTN-702 vaccine would protect people from infection. But the trial was halted this year. Here's why — and what comes next.
Infectious disease specialist Glenda Gray spent the last 10 years of her life organizing a clinical trial on HVTN 702, a vaccine she and her team hoped could protect people from becoming infected with HIV.
But during a call with an independent board that evaluates trial safety and efficacy in January, their hopes were dashed; the vaccine was not working.
For many in the HIV community, the news came as a huge disappointment. HVTN 702 was one of the most promising treatments in the industry. Now, scientists are back to the drawing board, focusing on other HIV vaccine trials and research for success.
