AIDS vaccine to be tested on humans

Human trials for a new AIDS vaccine are about to begin in Marseille. Dr Erwann Loret, the man behind the important discovery, has waited more than a decade to put his impressive work into action.

In a few days, the first injections will be administered in the Structural Biology and Microbiology Institute of La Timone, in Marseille. The vaccine contains an 'Anti-AIDS molecule' invented by Dr Loret, a potential cure for HIV - the virus that causes AIDS.

48 HIV-positive volunteers will take part in the first round of trials. One of the four groups will receive a placebo while the other three will each have the vaccine injection three times, each group receiving a different dose. If all goes well, another trial will be expanded to include 80 people.

The trials have been in the pipeline for 10 long years now. Despite numerous prizes, many publications, encouragement from the co-discoverer of HIV, and work with a Nobel Peace Prize winner, Dr loret's investigations were not taken seriously in France.

Eventually, private investors in Marseille gave a helping hand and funds were raised and operating licenses approved.