CAP256.GT1

CAP256.GT1 (also known as CAP256-GT1 or CAP256.SU-SCT9-GT1) is a germline-targeting HIV-1 envelope (Env) single-chain trimer (SCT) immunogen. Developed jointly by the University of Pennsylvania and Scripps Research, it is designed as a prophylactic vaccine candidate to prevent HIV-1 infection. CAP256.GT1 is engineered to mimic the native prefusion conformation of the HIV-1 Env spike and specifically target and prime rare precursor B cells that possess long CDRH3 loops. This targeted engagement initiates the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bnAbs) directed against the V1/V2 apex epitope of the HIV-1 envelope glycoprotein, overcoming a major bottleneck in HIV vaccine design.