Emory University has received a $26 million grant from the National Institutes of Health to develop a vaccine for HIV/AIDS, according to a media release issued today by the university. The Emory Consortium for AIDS Vaccine Research in Nonhuman Primates will focus on preventing the earliest stages of infection in the simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV), a disease similar to AIDS found only in primates, in a 5-year study.

Most SIV infections occur via mucous membranes through sexual contact. The study will attempt to develop an effective vaccine to block such infections at mucosal sites, according to the university.

The study will be led by Eric Hunter, PhD, co-director of the Emory Center for AIDS Research.

“Developing a safe and effective preventive HIV/AIDS vaccine is still a critical part of the fight against this challenging disease that affects more than 30 million people worldwide,” said Hunter. “With the vast experience of Emory’s vaccine researchers and our partners, I’m confident we can make significant strides in developing a better HIV vaccine.”

The study will be conducted at Emory's Yerkes National Primate Research Center.

Emory University currently runs several programs aimed at reducing infection rates, increasing testing rates and providing counseling services to those infected. Emory University's Center for AIDS Research includes more than 100 investigators working on basic, clinical, translational and behavioral projects, including vaccine research, according to the university.

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