The Russian State Center of Virology and Biotechnology "Vector," based in Novosibirsk, is going to proceed to the second phase of the tests of the drug against HIV and AIDS. However, the tests require adequate funding, general director of the center Valery Mikheyev said.
CombiHIVvac is Russia's only vaccine against AIDS that has reached the second phase of clinical trials. The funding for the research has not been opened yet. A committee for HIV and AIDS will gather for a special meeting soon to discuss the question of funding.
The second phase of clinical trial stipulates tests on humans. If the authorities fund the research accordingly, the tests will last for one or two years. Deputy General Director of "Vector," Alexander Agafonov, said that the center required at least 200-300 million rubles for the research ($5-7.5 million).