#$%^&*AU2004200155C120150723.pdf#####The present invention provides novel and modified peptides capable of inducing a HIV-1 specific immune response without antagonizing the cytotoxic T-cell activity in order to achieve an effective prophylactic and therapeutic vaccine against HIV. The peptides are based on conserved regions of HIV gag p17 and p24 proteins. Antigens in free- or carrierbound form comprising at least one of the said peptides, vaccine compositions containing at least one of the antigens, immunoassay kits and a method of detecting antibodies induced by HIV or HIV specific peptides using such antigens, are described. m CADecmnItis and SenlngswmulL Is\LoaI ScI1mp\TcnporVar I11-M F ics\Comln 1E5\CHS9tWKTbsth r.i dc