Dive into the AMP Trials

Results from the AMP Trials, studying a broadly neutralizing antibody (bNAb) known as VRC01, were complex, with still unfolding implications for the field.

The AMP Trials, two Phase IIb studies, tested the safety and efficacy of an infusion of VRC01 received every eight weeks. HVTN 703/HPTN 081 enrolled 1,900 women in sub-Saharan Africa, and HVTN 704/HPTN 085 enrolled 2,700 men who have sex with men and transgender people in North and South America and in Europe.

The overall efficacy demonstrated in the trials was not protective. But when VRC01 was fighting strains of HIV that were highly sensitive to it, the antibody did provide partial protection. So what does that mean for the field, and what other questions have been raised by these pioneering trials?

In this episode of Px Pulse, AVACers Jeanne Baron and Daisy Ouya talk to leading bNAb researcher, IAVI’s Devin Sok; a veteran HIV research advocate Mark Hubbard who served on AMP’s protocol team; and a senior member of the HVTN’s community engagement team, a chief explainer of the AMP trails, Gail Broder. Together we explore why these findings point to the need for combination antibodies, the need for a better understanding of the types of HIV that are circulating in a community, the complicated implications of a key lab test, the TZM-bl assay and more.

Hosted and produced by Jeanne Baron.

Highlights

Resources

Breaking the Bottlenecks to COVID-19 Vaccine Access

This graphic identifies the factors contributing to the bottlenecks in the global supply of COVID-19 vaccines.

Research Work Group of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership’s response to the NIH Request for Information (RFI)

This letter is the Research Work Group of the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership’s response to the NIH Request for Information (RFI) inviting comments and suggestions to advance and strengthen racial equity, diversity and inclusion in the biomedical research workforce and advance health disparities and health equity research.

Essential Principles & Practices for GPP Compliance: Engaging stakeholders in biomedical research during the era of COVID-19

This document is a new tool to help guide stakeholder engagement in COVID-19 research. Built from the Good Participatory Practice Guidelines for Biomedical HIV Prevention Trials (GPP), this document responds to needs expressed by both researchers and advocates as the world watched COVID-19 research progress with unprecedented speed and urgency.

Advocates’ Guide to Multipurpose Prevention Technologies

A resource to support advocacy for multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs). The Guide calls out four areas ripe for advocate involvement. It also provides a snapshot on the status of MPT research and development and data on investments—critical information that can support evidence-based advocacy.

Updated Recommendations on HIV Prevention, Infant Diagnosis, Antiretroviral Initiation And Monitoring

A 2021 update to the WHO recommendations on HIV clinical and service delivery of prevention and treatment.

COVID Vax Tracker

The COVID Vax Tracker provides updates on COVID-19 vaccine trials worldwide. The downloadable tracker provides data on trial location, recruitment status, participant totals, inclusion criteria and more.

COVID-19 Vaccine Cheat Sheet: Access Edition

This two-pager profiles authorized vaccines with an emphasis on the “3 C’s” that have a significant impact on equitable access: cost, cold chain and manufacturing capacity.

The Well Project

Founded in 2002, The Well Project is a non-profit organization whose mission is to change the course of the HIV/AIDS pandemic through a unique and comprehensive focus on women and girls. Their website is a global online resource of information, support and advocacy for women living with HIV and their allies.

Access their resources, additional information and strong partner network at thewellproject.org.

The Evolution of Oral PrEP Access

A presentation on global trends in PrEP uptake since 2016, prepared for R4P. See breakdowns by country and analysis of lessons learned and continued use.