Western asked for proposal to build AIDS vaccine manufacturing facility

The University of Western Ontario has received word it has been selected by the Government of Canada as one of four organizations across the country to submit a formal application to build an HIV vaccine manufacturing facility. Western is the only Ontario organization to submit a proposal. In February 2007, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Bill Gates jointly announced collaboration between the Government of Canada and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to support the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI). One component of the initiative is a total of $88 million in funding from the government and the foundation to build a Pilot Scale HIV Vaccine Manufacturing Facility – a high-tech facility that would produce vaccine to be used in clinical trials around the world. “This is exhilarating and promising news for London,” said Ted Hewitt, Vice-President, Research at Western. “We have our work cut out for us, as I am sure the competition will be tough, but London and Western have a great history of research and manufacturing success. This is exemplified by the leading research of Dr. Chil-Yong Kang in developing an HIV/AIDS vaccine.” Later today, details of progress on Kang’s work will be made by Western and Sumagen Canada, including the fact that an HIV/AIDS vaccine for toxicology tests and clinical trials has recently been produced – at a U.S. facility. Had a facility been available in Canada, the vaccine could have been produced here. Mayor Anne Marie DeCicco-Best acknowledged that since Western submitted a letter of intent some time ago, she has been hoping to hear the news that Western would be asked to forward a full proposal. “HIV/AIDS has taken more than 25 million lives and today 35 million people are living with HIV,” said the Mayor. “London now has an opportunity to show that we can play a key role in saving lives around the world. We are ready.” The London Economic Development Corporation (LEDC) has been working closely with the university on steps taken to date to win the facility and will play a key role in the proposal going forward. “This is an unprecedented opportunity for London to showcase its strengths in research and life sciences, and to further the city’s reputation as a leader,” said LEDC’s President and CEO Peter White. Western and other not-for-profits who have been invited, must submit a full proposal for the bio-safety level 3, GMP (Good Manufacturing Practices) facility by March 25, 2009. The letter from the federal government states its decision to request a proposal from Western “was informed by Canadian and international experts working the fields of HIV vaccine research and vaccines manufacturing.” To conduct interviews regarding this important initiative, media are invited to attend today’s news conference at Western at 2 p.m. (advisory is attached) or arrange interviews by phone, following the news conference. MEDIA CONTACT: Ann Hutchison, Director of Media Relations, The University of Western Ontario, 519-661-2111, ext. 85468.