This article is a summary, click here for the comprehensive version and HIV Background

Vacc-C5 is a humoral (antibody-mediated) vaccine based on modified synthetic peptides from the C5 area of gp 120 at the HIV-virus surface. C5 is believed to be crucial to produce certain antibodies known to be present in HIV-patients which able to control the virus without ART-medication (so-called natural viral suppressors). These antibodies are believed to down-regulate the hyper-activation that overwhelms the immune system of most HIV-infected.

Bionor Pharma has tested Vacc-C5 against blood-samples from natural viral suppressors. This test showed with 98% significance an immune response in these blood samples which was not obtained in the control samples. This is considered evidence that Vacc-C5 is immunogenic towards certain anti-bodies known to be present in natural viral suppressors

The company is currently planning toxicology studies and is planning a phase I/II clinical trial to start late 2011.