Question : VACCINE FOR AIDS

(a) whether the scientists at the National Chemical Laboratory have developed an effective vaccine for AIDS/HIV in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c) the amount sanctioned by the Government for the above mentioned research during each of the last three years and for the current year;

(d) whether Government propose to increase the monetary allocation for such research works;

(e) if so, the details thereof;

(f) whether the international patent for the AIDS vaccine has since been obtained;

(g) if not, the reasons therefor; and

(h) the action taken by the Government to expedite the process for getting the international patent for the AIDS vaccine?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND FAMILY WELFARE (SHRI A. RAJA)

(a)to(h): No, Sir. However, CSIR has informed that Scientists from National Chemical Laboratory, Pune have isolated a biologically derived molecule from an alkatothermophilic Bacillus species that inhibits HIV-1 Protease, the enzyme responsible for the multiplication of the AIDS causing virus. It is not a vaccine but it is an inhibitor. This molecule is isolated from a robust microbe that thrives at high temperature and alkaline conditions.

The inhibitor isolated has an amino acid sequence that shows no similarity to existing peptidic inhibitors and represents an exciting new class of inhibitors. CSIR has filed Foreign Patent Applications on this invention.

CSIR has further informed that the work has been carried out at the test tube level i.e. in-vitro conditions in the laboratory. Depending upon the results, financial resources will be earmarked.