The arguments for reviving AIDS vaccines

In 1994, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases decided not to go forward with either large-scale or small-scale AIDS vaccine trials until there was compelling evidence suggesting that the vaccines were likely to be highly effective. Since then, AIDS vaccines have largely fallen off the radar screen.

But last week, VaxGen Inc. announced that it will begin Phase III trials of its Aidsvax gp120 vaccine in the U.S. and Thailand. The company believes that success is more likely than before because its new vaccine formulation addresses specific lessons learned from trials with the older, monovalent, version...