U.S. launches clinical trials network to test COVID-19 vaccines, prevention tools

The U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) announced on Wednesday the establishment of a new clinical trials network that aims to enroll thousands of volunteers in large-scale clinical trials testing a variety of investigational vaccines and monoclonal antibodies intended to protect people from COVID-19.

The COVID-19 Prevention Trials Network was established by merging four existing NIAID-funded clinical trials networks: the HIV Vaccine Trials Network, based in Seattle; the HIV Prevention Trials Network, based in Durham; the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Consortium, based in Atlanta; and the AIDS Clinical Trials Group, based in Los Angeles, according to the NIAID.

"Starting this summer, this new network will leverage existing infrastructure and engage communities to secure the thousands of volunteers needed for late-stage clinical trials of promising vaccines," said U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar.

"Having a safe and effective medical countermeasure to prevent COVID-19 would enable us to not only save lives but also help end the global pandemic," said NIAID Director Anthony Fauci.

"Centralizing our clinical research efforts into a single trials network will expand the resources and expertise needed to efficiently identify safe and effective vaccines and other prevention strategies against COVID-19," Fauci said.

The new network is expected to operate more than 100 clinical trial sites across the United States and internationally, according to the NIAID.