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Biotech / Medical : VaxGen Inc.-The 1st AIDS Vaccine in Phase 3 HumanTrials -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: wiz who wrote (67)	7/7/1999 4:53:00 PM
From: glen	Respond to of 250

Almost all news pertaining to new drug developments in AIDS Research pertains to drugs used to treat those already infected. At this time, there is no known cure for AIDS/HIV and the drugs on the market are used to prolong the lives of those infected. And, these drugs regimens are very expensive. The target for a successful AIDS Vaccine is the rest of the world's population, which is not infected, and is potentially a huge market. While there have been many drugs that have come to market which can be evaluated and written up, AIDSVAX is the only vaccine to ever be approved by the FDA to enter into Phase III Human Clinical Trials. It is difficult to write about its potential when only projections can be made. Scientifically, and politically, the development of a successful AIDS vaccine has been and is, controversial. There are many supporters and detractors. The whys of this can perhaps be better explained by GPS. Nevertheless, the investment potential in terms of the risk/reward of the successful completion of this vaccine, is staggering. The lack of publicity and hype can be viewed as an investment opportunity for those who believe in the eventual approval of AIDSVAX by the FDA. I, for one, believe believe those chances to be very high.

To: wiz who wrote (67)	7/7/1999 5:58:00 PM
From: GPSite	Respond to of 250

Why is VaxGen such a stealth company? It is a long story that boils down to 3 issues: 1) Dr. Don Francis is controversial; 2) AIDS activists do not support vaccine research; and, 3)Many scientists believe that in theory, the approach used by VaxGen (using a cell surface antigen to elicit antibody response)should not -- again, in theory -- be effective against this virus. I can not do these issues justice in this forum all at one time, but if you read The Band Played on by Randy Shilts and go back and find The New York Times Sunday Magazine on which Dr. Francis was the cover story (Don Francis: Saint or Sinner?), you will begin to get an idea of the complexities. As for the antigen-antibody approach used by VaxGen and criticized by others, all one can say is that the detractors cite theory whereas VaxGen cites success in the simian model; success in the phase I and II human trials; and, success in launching a Phase III trial. What have the detractors accomplished thus far with their theories?