South Africa has launched the first human trials of a locally developed HIV vaccine, marking a major step in the global fight against a virus that continues to kill around one person every minute worldwide.
The early-stage trial, which began in Cape Town, has enrolled 20 HIV-negative volunteers, making it the first African-led human trial of a vaccine candidate designed and identified on the continent.
Researchers will assess whether the vaccine can safely stimulate the body’s immune system to mount a defence against HIV, one of the world’s most complex and elusive viruses.
Targeting a moving virus
Scientists involved in the study say the vaccine is designed to activate broadly neutralising antibodies—powerful immune proteins capable of recognising and disabling a wide range of HIV variants.
HIV has long frustrated vaccine researchers because of its ability to rapidly mutate, disguise itself with a coating of sugar molecules, and evade the immune system. The virus also reproduces imperfectly, creating multiple strains that are difficult for the body to control.
These characteristics have made the search for an effective vaccine one of the greatest challenges in modern medical science.
African-led collaboration
The research is being driven by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), scientists at Wits University, and the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation, under the Africa-wide Brilliant Consortium.
The consortium brings together researchers from South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia, and Mozambique, with the aim of delivering an African solution to the HIV/AIDS pandemic.
More than four decades into the epidemic, Africa remains the epicentre of HIV, with over 8 million people living with the virus in South Africa alone.
How the vaccine works
The new candidate, known as Brilliant 011, is a combination vaccine designed to trigger multiple immune responses. It contains two key components—BG505 GT1.1 and 426c.Mod.Core-C4b—intended to work together to prime the immune system against HIV.
While the vaccine components were first identified in Africa, they were later further developed in collaboration with researchers in the United States.
Vaccine still the “holy grail”
In recent years, researchers have made major progress with pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) injections, including long-acting options such as lenacapavir, which can provide up to six months of protection against HIV infection.
However, scientists stress that a preventive vaccine remains the ultimate goal in ending the pandemic.
“The trial is marking a major milestone in African-led HIV vaccine research,” the SAMRC said, adding that the study brings renewed hope that a vaccine developed by African scientists, for African populations, is within reach.
Professor Glenda Gray of Wits University said advances in HIV vaccine science have placed the team in a strong position to map immune responses and guide the next stages of development.
While the trial is still at an early phase, researchers say its success would represent a historic breakthrough in global and African public health.
