Immunity Project
 | |
| Focus | HIV/AIDS Research |
|---|---|
| Location |
|
| Affiliations |
Flow Pharma Until There's a Cure Sparkart |
| Website |
immunityproject |
The Immunity Project is a scientific research nonprofit corporation working to develop a synthetic HIV/AIDS vaccine.[1] The project is a partnership between biotech firm Flow Pharma and digital agency SparkArt. The nonprofit portion of the project is fiscally sponsored by the HIV/AIDS charity Until There's a Cure. The vaccine is being developed by Flow Pharma. The project is the second nonprofit startup organization supported by the venture capital investment firm, Y Combinator.[2] Financial support is also being raised through crowdfunding using Crowdhoster.
The project uses an algorithm to sort through the genetic information of the HIV virus and the human genome, seeking to find out why some people with the HIV virus do not develop AIDS. “All the information from the immune system and the HIV genome generates this really, really big dataset,” according to Dr. Reid Rubsamen, co-founder and CEO. “We use machine learning to understand what is happening with this dataset and reverse engineer this biological process."[2]
As of 2014, the organization is beginning Phase I human trials, following the initial research and trial results shown in animals.[3][4] If the clinical trials continue showing success, the organization plans to have the vaccine ready for global distribution in 2016, at which time, it will be provided at no charge to patients.[5][6]
The logo for the project was inspired by that for The Condom Pledge.[7]
Responses to campaign
The promotional campaign omits mention of any established HIV researchers or data supporting the Immunity project's scientific strategy.[8] Louis Picker of the Oregon Health & Science University said that "The concept they're selling is an old concept that has been shown not to work, and can't work" and that "They're preying on people who are desperate for a vaccine."[8] Virologist Abbie Smith at Emory University said that "It seems like they’re going straight to the public and making appeals to emotion because they don’t have the scientific background to establish themselves in the research community."[8] She further said that even with her expertise as an HIV researcher she fails to recognize any scientific proposal the project is making.[9]
Mitchell Warren of the AIDS Vaccine Advocacy Coalition said "They have been more successful than others in captivating attention around social media and using novel fundraising approaches" and "I hope that they don’t discourage people if there is not a licensed vaccine at the end of the day."[8]
References
- ↑ La, Steve (2013-10-03). "Tapping Rare Human Superpowers to Make HIV Vaccine | The Informer | Los Angeles | Los Angeles News and Events". LA Weekly. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
- 1 2 "Startup developing HIV/AIDS vaccine is 2nd nonprofit accepted into Y Combinator | VentureBeat | Health | by Rebecca Grant". venturebeat.com. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
- ↑ "With Y Combinator Support, HIV Vaccine Maker Immunity Project Looks For Crowdfunding – Venture Capital Dispatch – WSJ". Blogs.wsj.com. 2012-04-17. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
- ↑ "iafrica.com HIV vaccine via crowdfunding". Technology.iafrica.com. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
- ↑ "The Immunity Project hopes to build a better HIV vaccine through crowdfunding and machine learning". The Verge. 2013-09-30. Retrieved 2014-01-25.
- ↑ "If The Immunity Project Crowdfunds This Synthetic AIDS Vaccine, They'll Offer It Free To Everyone | Fast Company | Business + Innovation". fastcompany.com. Retrieved 2014-01-23.
- ↑ "The Condom Pledge: Working to Change Societal Norms around Condom Use". Center for Public Health Initiatives. 2014-03-13. Retrieved 2014-03-14.
- 1 2 3 4 Check Hayden, Erika (10 February 2014). "Crowd-funded HIV vaccine project sparks debate". Nature. doi:10.1038/nature.2014.14675.
- ↑ Smith, Abbie. "Immunity Project: Crowdsourcing an HIV vaccine?". ERV. ScienceBlogs. Retrieved 2014-02-17.