On 27 June, members of the APPG visited the Human Immunology Lab (HIL) in Chelsea and Westminster Hospital, to learn more about vaccine research and development being conducted at world class institutions in the UK.
The Human Immunology Laboratory (HIL) is central in vaccine development and core to the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI)’s operations. Established by IAVI in 2001, in collaboration with Imperial College, there are now around 30 members of staff working at the HIL.
While it was established to focus on HIV vaccine trials, the HIL applies its longstanding expertise towards the development of safe and effective vaccines against a range of diseases including HIV/AIDS, Lassa, Ebola, malaria, and tuberculosis (TB). In addition, IAVI recently acquired the clinical assets of AERAS, a non-profit similar to IAVI, which has been working to develop vaccines for TB. Going forward the HIL will play a key role in supporting the development of viable TB vaccine candidates, as well as the other product developments that IAVI undertakes.
APPG Chair, Dr Philippa Whitford MP, alongside APPG Members, Bambos Charalambous MP and Stephen Crabb MP, met wit Executive Director of the HIL, Professor Jill Gilmour, as well as the Senior Director of Global Operations, Ali Ebireer, and Senior Scientific Director, Brian Abel. They were given a presentation and then a tour of the facilities.
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