Glaxo's vaccines unit, GSK Biologicals, will license the measles vaccine carrier, technology from Institut Pasteur, and researchers from both groups will jointly develop the new vaccine.
The project is the latest in a range of attempts to fight HIV, which has killed more than 3.1 million people this year alone, reports Reuters
Glaxo believes adapting a measles shot is a promising approach, since the vaccine is known to give very long-lasting immunity.
The hope is that using it as a carrier to deliver HIV proteins will produce a similarly potent and long-lasting vaccine to prevent AIDS.
The project will take many years of research before scientists know whether they can manufacture it as a safe and effective therapy.
The research will be carried out under a public-private collaboration, and the initial project is being supported by a grant of 5.5 million euros from the European Union.
Four research centers will be involved in France, Belgium and Britain.
