Italian professor Vittorio Collizi discussed with Health Minister Radoslav Gaidarski joint efforts for the production of a combined AIDS and tuberculosis vaccine.

A Bulgarian vaccine will be used as the basis for the new medicine, the Bulgarian National Radio reported.

Virologist Collizi is on a visit to Bulgaria, together with two colleagues from the Rome medical university. During the meeting with Gaidarski, Collizi presented three projects permitting co-operation between Bulgaria and Italy.

The first project involves joint work between the Italian healthcare institute and the national centre for infectious diseases. Another option involves Italian investment for Bulgarian science projects.

The final option focuses on the development of the AIDS and tuberculosis vaccine. Researchers from both countries already work on the project.

A protocol listing the targets of the project will be signed soon. Scientists aim at the production of an AIDS vaccine on the basis of a Bulgarian medication against tuberculosis. The Bulgarian vaccine will be modified to protect against HIV infections.