ALVAC-HIV trademark

a genetically engineered HIV vaccine composed of a live, weakened canarypox virus (ALVAC™) into which parts of genes for non-infectious components of HIV have been inserted. When ALVAC™ infects a human cell, the inserted HIV genes direct the cell to make HIV proteins. These proteins are packaged into HIV-like particles that bud from the cell membrane. These particles are not infectious but fool the immune system into mounting an immune response to HIV. ALVAC™ can infect but not grow in human cells, an important safety feature. (See also canarypox.)