Immuno Cure Launches Research Facility for ICVAX® HIV Vaccine at CIITS, Strengthening Global Biomedicine Efforts
HONG KONG SAR – Immuno Cure Group, based at Hong Kong Science Park, has inaugurated a new research facility dedicated to its HIV therapeutic DNA vaccine, ICVAX®, at the Center of International Innovation for Technology and Science (CIITS) in Hetao, Shenzhen. This facility is designed to advance the development and application of essential technologies for the clinical research and commercialization of ICVAX®. The vaccine aims to provide an antiretroviral therapy (ART)-free functional cure for HIV infection.
Collaborative Efforts in HIV Research
The establishment of this facility is a collaborative effort involving prominent figures in the field, including Professor Zhiwei Chen, Founding Director of the AIDS Institute at the University of Hong Kong, and Professor Hongzhou Lu, President of the Third People’s Hospital of Shenzhen, who will serve as advisors for the project. Their expertise is expected to enhance the research capabilities and clinical applications of ICVAX®.
CIITS serves as a national-level platform for transforming technological achievements, co-developed by Guangdong Province, Shenzhen Municipality, and Tsinghua University. Located in the Hetao Shenzhen-Hong Kong Science and Technology Innovation Cooperation Zone, CIITS focuses on biomedicine, high-performance materials, and artificial intelligence, aiming to aggregate global innovation resources and address strategic national needs.
The Need for Innovative Therapies
Since the identification of AIDS in 1981, over 40.8 million individuals have succumbed to HIV infection, with more than 44.1 million currently living with the virus worldwide. While antiretroviral therapy effectively controls HIV replication, it does not provide a cure, underscoring the urgent need for innovative immunotherapies. These therapies are designed to enhance the host’s immune response, aiming for sustained viral control without the need for lifelong ART, ultimately leading to complete viral suppression.
Immuno Cure’s ICVAX® is a proprietary HIV therapeutic DNA vaccine that induces broad-spectrum, polyfunctional virus-specific T cells, targeting the goal of achieving an ART-free functional cure for HIV infection.
Clinical Trials and Future Directions
In November 2024, Immuno Cure completed the first-in-human Phase I clinical trial of ICVAX®, demonstrating excellent safety and promising immunogenicity. The company is set to launch two multi-center Phase II clinical trials in Q2 2026. These trials will be randomized, double-blind, and placebo-controlled, assessing the vaccine’s mechanism of action and efficacy. The trials will take place at Prince of Wales Hospital in Hong Kong and eight leading hospitals across China, including Shenzhen Third People’s Hospital and Beijing Ditan Hospital.
Standardized testing systems for evaluating immunological and virological indicators are crucial for HIV vaccine clinical trials. However, the absence of domestic standard operating procedures (SOPs) for infectious samples presents challenges in the clinical development and regulatory approval of novel therapies like ICVAX®. The CIITS facility aims to establish an internationally aligned standardized clinical testing system for T-cell immunogenicity and viral reservoirs, addressing this technical gap.
Statements from Leadership
Dr. Xia Jin, CEO of Immuno Cure, expressed enthusiasm for leading this pivotal project at CIITS. He acknowledged the support from CIITS, including modern laboratory facilities and RMB 10 million in funding for the initial two-year phase. Dr. Jin emphasized the importance of developing a standardized testing regime to enhance the quality of clinical trials for ICVAX® and to potentially set industry and national standards for the clinical translation of therapies for HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases.
Renchen Liu, Executive Deputy Dean of the Research Institute of Tsinghua University in Shenzhen and Director of CIITS, congratulated Immuno Cure on the facility’s inauguration. He highlighted CIITS’s commitment to providing full-chain incubation services, ensuring the project’s smooth progress through resource integration, talent development, and clinical collaboration.
Implications for Global Health
As the project progresses, Immuno Cure’s ICVAX® is poised to become the world’s first therapeutic DNA vaccine offering an ART-free functional cure for HIV infection. This advancement holds promise for individuals living with HIV and could serve as a model for developing novel therapies targeting other major infectious diseases. The collaborative innovation model and standardized testing platform developed through this initiative will enhance the global competitiveness of biomedicine in the Greater Bay Area and contribute to national biosecurity and public health resilience.
For more information, visit Immuno Cure and follow their updates on LinkedIn.
Source: www.zawya.com
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Published on 2026-05-27 14:03:00 • By the Editorial Desk
