In 2023, AVAC and CASPR partners cast a spotlight on many issues and opportunities for HIV vaccine science. This one-pager highlights key conversations.
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD) 2023
Advancing HIV Cure to Africa: What is needed?
The HIV epidemic continues to have a tremendous impact on global health. While we have made enormous progress in making antiretroviral therapy available to many people living with HIV, we are still not capable of eliminating infection. Consequently, people with HIV must commit to expensive, lifelong therapies; continuous monitoring; and they face drug toxicities and chronic immune activation. There is thus an urgent need to develop safe, affordable, and globally accessible curative strategies. While HIV cure research slowly becomes more mainstream in high income countries, Africa runs the risk of being left behind.
During two exciting 60-minutes panel-discussions panelists discussed how researchers, communities and other stakeholders from high income countries could work equitably with low- and middle-income countries in the interests of an HIV cure for all. This webinar was one session of the NL4Cure Spring symposium in Rotterdam on May 25 and 26.
Panel discussion 1 – Scientific priorities for HIV cure in Africa
Facilitated by Cynthia Lungu, Erasmus University Medical Center.
Panelists included Professor Thumbi Ndung’u, Africa Health Research Institute Programme, Krista Dong, MD, of FRESH- Females Rising through Education, Professor Zaza Ndhlovu, Africa Health Research Institute, Catherine Slack, MA Clin Psych, PhD, HIV AIDS Vaccines Ethics Group
Panel discussion 2 – Advocacy and community involvement priorities for HIV cure in Africa
Facilitated by Jessica Salzwedel, AVAC.
Panelists included Philister Adhiambo, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Charles Brown, Preventive Care International, Mandisa Dukashe, Wits RHI, Elina Mwasinga, National Association for Young People Living with HIV
Aidsfonds: Soa Aids Nederland is a Dutch non-profit organization that also works internationally. Working with communities as equals is at the heart of all our work. We conduct research and ensure that HIV, AIDS and STIs remain high on the agenda worldwide. Together we are working to find a cure for HIV.
NL4Cure: Aidsfonds has initiated a unique partnership to bring together the best HIV researchers, people living with HIV, data experts, HIV clinicians and nurses. Through NL4Cure, we generate new insights that bring us one step closer to finding a cure.
Global Investment in HIV Cure Research & Development in 2021
A decade of progress
Language for HIV Cure
This document shares up-to-date, community-preferred terminology within cure research.
A Comprehensive Approach for Progress
Ending the Epidemic
HIV-Specific Neutralizing Antibodies by Target
A number of broadly neutralizing antibodies that target various regions of HIV’s Env protein are being developed for HIV prevention.
Cumulative Number of PrEP Initiations for Q1 of 2023
The Case For an HIV Cure and How to Get There
Viewpoint appearing in The Lancet HIV
Appearing in The Lancet HIV: We propose steps to plan for an HIV cure now, including defining a target product profile and establishing the HIV Cure Africa Acceleration Partnership (HCAAP), a multidisciplinary public-private partnership that will catalyse and promote HIV cure research through diverse stakeholder engagement. HCAAP will convene stakeholders, including people living with HIV, at an early stage to accelerate the design, social acceptability, and rapid adoption of HIV-cure products.
What’s All the Buzz About: mRNA, manufacturing, vaccine access
Exploring the potential role of bNAbs in prevention
AVAC and partners hosted a conversation to explore the potential role of bNAbs in prevention, current status in the field, and key issues to consider in HIV vaccine research.
Panelists included: Slim Karim, CAPRISA, Pervin Anklesaria, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Khadija Richards, Wits RHI, Huub Gelderblom, HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN)
Hosted By: Mitchell Warren, AVAC and Stacey Hannah, AVAC
Recording / Slim Karim Slides / Pervin Anklesaria Slides / Khadija Richards Slides / Huub Gelderblom Slides
Evolving Strategies for an HIV Vaccine: One researcher explains where the field is going and why?
Produced and hosted by Jeanne Baron
With several large HIV vaccine trials in the last few years finding no efficacy, the field is in transition. There are diverse ideas in vaccine research, but there’s no clear concept that’s ready to test in a late-phase trial or move towards product development currently. Researchers are back to testing new ideas in early phase research.
In this episode of our Px Pulse podcast, Evolving Strategies for an HIV Vaccine: One researcher explains where the field is going and why?, Dr. Katy Stephenson explores the implications of recent trial results, the big questions driving next generation vaccine development, and new strategies underway in early phase research. Katy is a doctor, a researcher, a professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School, affiliated with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and part of the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research.