The Vaccine Research Center (VRC) will utilize GenVec's proprietary technologies for vaccine development, including its production cell line, 293-ORF6, to design and test next generation vaccines to optimize the body's immune response to HIV. GenVec is working under a subcontract, issued and managed by SAIC-Frederick, that now totals up to $40 million and extends through 2008. One vaccine candidate produced by GenVec is already being tested by the VRC in a phase I clinical study designed to assess it for safety and the ability to produce an immune response against HIV. Patient enrollment in this current trial has been completed. In addition to vaccine construction and production, the subcontract includes the use of GenVec's advanced scaleable production process to produce clinical grade HIV vaccine candidates for future National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) trials. Dr C. Richter King, vice president of research at GenVec, stated, "We are pleased to expand our work on developing an effective vaccine to slow or prevent the spread of AIDS. Together with the VRC, we are exploring the design of novel vaccines against the three major HIV strains present worldwide."