Africa moves closer to an HIV Vaccine as first-in-human BRILLIANT 011 Clinical Trial launches in Cape Town
South Africa has taken a historic step toward contributing to the development of an HIV vaccine, aimed at HIV vaccine strains circulating in Southern Africa, with the launch of the BRILLIANT 011 first-in-human clinical trial at the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation (DTHF) site at Groote Schuur Hospital.
The first participant was enrolled this week.
The trial is being conducted by the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) in partnership with DTHF and the Wits Health Consortium, marking a major milestone in African-led HIV vaccine research. BRILLIANT 011 brings renewed hope that an HIV vaccine developed through African science, for African populations, is becoming increasingly possible.
The study forms part of the BRILLIANT Consortium (BRinging Innovation to cLinical and Laboratory research to end HIV In Africa through New vaccine Technology), a groundbreaking initiative launched in 2024. The consortium seeks to unite leading researchers from South Africa, Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique, and is notable for being predominantly led by African women scientists, with the SAMRC leading this first study.
Despite facing severe setbacks following U.S. funding cuts that threatened to derail the programme, the BRILLIANT Consortium demonstrated remarkable scientific resilience. Through swift leadership action and the mobilisation of new investment, the team successfully preserved the integrity of the research and ensured that Africa’s first clinical trial under BRILLIANT could proceed.
The trial is testing two cutting-edge vaccine components — BG505 GT1.1 and 426c.Mod.Core-C4b — administered with the SMNP adjuvant. These state-of-the-art immunogens are the result of international scientific collaboration involving the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, the Scripps Consortium for HIV/AIDS Vaccine Development and Amsterdam University Medical Centers.
BRILLIANT 011 is designed to explore new strategies for triggering broadly neutralising antibody responses, one of the most complex and critical challenges in HIV vaccine development.
The programme’s continuation was secured through the leadership of Prof Glenda Gray, Prof Linda Gail Bekker, Prof Penny Moore and Prof Nigel Garrett, who acted decisively to protect the core scientific objectives when international funding uncertainties placed the trial at risk.
As the world reflects on progress toward ending AIDS, the SAMRC emphasises that vaccine research remains one of the most critical frontiers in HIV prevention, alongside existing treatment and prevention strategies.
SAMRC sponsor representative, Prof Gray says being able to lead fundamental research on the continent enables African scientists to contribute to HIV science that has the potential to leap-frog innovation in this area.
“Advances in HIV vaccine research and development place our team in a pivotal position to map immune responses to these novel vaccines in order to guide further development of this regimen,” she says.
Prof Moore adds, “This trial is only possible thanks to unprecedented collaboration with international partners. It will not only advance HIV vaccine design on the continent, but also massively increase immunology expertise in South Africa, preparing us for other pathogens and outbreaks."
“The DTHF team are proud to have enrolled the first participant into this trial this week,” says Prof Garrett.
The persistence of the BRILLIANT Consortium stands as a powerful example of South Africa’s unwavering commitment to innovation, partnership and scientific excellence, reinforcing the country’s role as a global leader in HIV research.
For more information, please contact:
Tendani Tsedu
SAMRC Head of Corporate and Marketing Communications
Cell: 082 945 1980
e-mail: tendani.tsedu@mrc.ac.za