Nigeria and seven other African countries have embarked on an African-led initiative to accelerate HIV vaccine research and development on the continent. The project, named BRILLIANT (Bringing Innovation to Clinical and Laboratory Research to End HIV in Africa through New Vaccine Technology), aims to drive locally-led vaccine solutions to address HIV effectively across Africa.
Prof. Alash’le Abimiku, Executive Director of the International Research Centre of Excellence at the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN), announced the project at a press briefing in Abuja. With the theme “HIV Vaccine, Innovation, Science, and Technology Acceleration in Africa (HIV-VISTA) Study,” the initiative highlights Africa’s scientific potential in HIV vaccine research. The countries participating in the project include Nigeria, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, and Mozambique.
According to Prof. Abimiku, BRILLIANT’s objective is to advance HIV vaccine candidates emerging from African research. “This initiative aims to empower African scientists and foster partnerships with the private sector, supporting the creation of a sustainable, domestically supported research environment,” she noted.
Dr. Temitope Ilori, Director-General of the National Agency for the Control of AIDS (NACA), emphasized the need for a preventive HIV vaccine. “While we have ongoing preventive measures, the BRILLIANT study brings renewed hope for a vaccine tailored to our population. Nigeria’s involvement is essential to global efforts to end AIDS,” she stated.
The project, funded with over $45 million from USAID, exemplifies the strength of international collaboration. Dr. Ezekiel James, Deputy Director of USAID’s HIV/TB office, highlighted the role of partnerships in achieving HIV epidemic control, while UNAIDS Country Director, Dr. Leo Zekeng, underscored community engagement in HIV vaccine awareness.
UNAIDS estimates around 39.9 million people globally living with HIV, with 25.9 million in Africa.
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