American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene Symposium: Strategy for Plasmodium falciparum Vaccine Development and Clinical Trials: Panel Discussion

In addition to the panelists, several of the symposium speakers participated in the discussion. Other participants from the floor were Ross Coppel (Walter and Eliza Hall Institute, Melbourne, Australia), Robert Desowitz (University of Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii), Arnold Satterthwait (Research Instituteof Scripps Clinic, La Jolla, California), Allan Saul (Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia), Joseph Cohen (Smith Kline Beecham, Rixensart, Belgium), Margaret Pinder (IIRSDA Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire). Antigen Selection. Dr. Chulay: I would like to start by asking Dr. Peter Reeve to comment on the proposed antigen selection strategy that Dr. Russell Howard described. Dr. Reeve: For several reasons, I regard the selection of antigens for development into experimental vaccines for human trials to be the most important step in vaccine development. First, it implies commitment of significant resources, including funds. In industry this decision is reviewed at the very highest levels. It also makes a very visible statement of intent: expectations are therefore likely to be high.