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FINN-MEDI Focus 1/2002
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| HIV vaccine tested on people FIT Biotech’s GTU® technology as the basis
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| FIT Biotech Oyj plc, a company with operations in Tampere, Finland, Tarto, Estonia and Bangkok, Thailand, has begun HIV vaccine trials with human subjects. A specialist in medical biotechnology, the company is at the international forefront in vaccine development due to its proprietary GTU ® technology and state-of-the-art immunogens. |
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FIT Biotech Oyj plc, a company with operations in Tampere, Finland, Tarto, Estonia and Bangkok, Thailand, has begun HIV vaccine trials with human subjects. A specialist in medical biotechnology, the company is at the international forefront in vaccine development due to its proprietary GTU ® technology and state-of-the-art immunogens.
A novel gene/immunogen transport vehicle, FIT Biotech’s GTU ® (Gene Transport Unit) is a platform technology for a variety of preventive and therapeutic vaccines and gene therapy products.
The company began human tests with a GTU ®-based HIV vaccine in Finland in December 2001. According to CEO & President Pekka Sillanaukee, the company’s HIV product development has advanced according to plan and is on schedule.
GTU ® technology can help develop the treatment of many illnesses.
GTU ® technology is an element of the development of third-generation vaccines.
"The traditional first-generation vaccine is ineffective against the HI virus, which constantly changes its form in the human body," Sillanaukee explains.
"The main weakness of second-generation vaccines, virus-based vaccines, is that the body’s defense mechanism can be activated against them. For this reason, a revaccination can’t be administered."
"Third-generation fully gene-tech-nology-based DNA vaccines are a safe and effective method for the immunization of humans. Their shortcomings lie in the technological challenge and the weak immune response they produce."
The advantage of GTU ® technology is that a vaccine manufactured with it divides in the body together with a person’s own cells. The result of this maintenance effect is that the vaccine vector spreads in dividing cells, giving an enhanced effect over a longer period of time.
GTU ® technology can be utilized in the development of a broad range of vaccines. It can be applied in both preventive and therapeutic vaccines.
"GTU ® technology can introduce significant possibilities to the treatment and prevention of many illnesses, such as infectious diseases like hepatitis C and HIV, cancer, allergy, and genetic diseases," Sillanaukee says.
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| An HIV vaccine will be ready in less than 10 years |
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Sillanaukee estimates that a preventive HIV vaccine or a vaccine that supports treatment will be finalized in five to ten years’ time.
"The need for such a vaccine is vast. Globally, more than 36 million people have acquired the HIV infection. Over twelve million children have lost one or both parents to AIDS. A preventive vaccine would be the most reliable, safe and economical means of bringing the HIV epidemic under control."
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