May 18th is recognized as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD), and this year it is a time of deep reflection and potential. Three major HIV vaccine trials have ended in no efficacy since 2020, but the field knows more than ever that a vaccine is still needed for a durable and sustainable end to the pandemic – and has new insights into possible vaccine strategies that might one day effectively protect against HIV.

This year, AVAC and CASPR partners are casting a spotlight on the many issues and opportunities for HIV vaccine science. See below for three important conversations

Podcast: Listen to AVAC’s PxPulse podcast, Evolving Strategies for an HIV Vaccine: One researcher explains where the field is going and why, featuring Katy Stephenson of Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research. In conversation with AVAC’s Jeanne Baron, Katy provides an accessible breakdown on the status of the field of HIV vaccine research, including details on recent trial results that proved ineffective and what’s next (and exciting) in HIV vaccine advocacy and research.

“The field needs to expand the diversity of scientists who are thinking of new ideas. We haven’t gotten far with the ideas coming out exclusively from the United States and Europe. We need to bring in young scientists of diverse backgrounds all over the world to think of ideas we can’t even imagine.”

“We now know that non-broadly neutralizing antibodies don’t work, but broadly neutralizing antibodies can work. It’s a big milestone in the field to have that kind of knowledge now.”

Katy Stephenson, Harvard Medical School and Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research

Webinars: AVAC brought together partners, advocates and other experts for two vaccine webinars. The first, on local manufacturing production, takes on this essential part of the solution for ensuring sustainable and equitable supplies of vaccines in low- and middle-income countries. The second explores the development of broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNABs) and their potential in HIV prevention. Check out the recording and slides for both.

What’s All the Buzz About: mRNA, manufacturing, vaccines access – featuring Caryn Fenner of Afrigen Biologics, Ike James of Medicines Patent Pool, and Mike Frick of Treatment Action Group. 

“LMICs (Low- or Middle-Income Country) are not only the consumers of IP (Intellectual Property), we are the generators of IP!” Caryn Fenner, Afrigen Biologics

“It’s important for us in the Global North to know that vaccine technology didn’t start in Global North and was often taken from others.” Mike Frick, Treatment Action Group.

“Engagement and commitment [is needed], not only when a pandemic exists, but long-term commitments are key to follow through on.” Ike James, Medicine Patents Pool

To bNAb or not to bNAb? The case for broadly neutralizing antibodies – featuring Slim Abdool Karim of CAPRISA, Pervin Anklesaria of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Khadija Richards of Wits RHI, and Huub Gelderblom of HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN).

“The scientific complexities of bNAbs require a more attuned focus on community engagement… And it will require a high degree of validating [people’s] lived experience.”, Khadija Richards, Wits RHI.

“The hope is that if bNAbs are effective in prevention, they create a pathway towards a vaccine.” Slim Abdool Karim, CAPRISA

“To close the gap between scientific innovation and globally accessible and affordable bNAb combination products…we certainly need innovation in manufacturing. It is a long-term process and it’s not going to happen overnight. But we do need to start now.” Pervin Anklesaria, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

“What I see is actually multiple modes of PrEP available, and then people can make choices depending on what works for them.” Huub Gelderblom of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network on the potential of bNAbs as PrEP

May 18th is recognized as HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (HVAD), and this year it is a time of deep reflection and potential. Three major HIV vaccine trials have ended in no efficacy since 2020, but the field knows more than ever that a vaccine is still needed for a durable and sustainable end to the pandemic – and has new insights into possible vaccine strategies that might one day effectively protect against HIV.

This year, AVAC and CASPR partners are casting a spotlight on the many issues and opportunities for HVAD 2023. Check it all out here! And read on for details about a wide range of new resources.

• Listen to our latest Px Pulse podcast on vaccines
• Save the date for our upcoming HVAD webinar series
• Join one of the CASPR partner and collaborator HVAD events
• Read an introduction to our upcoming Lab to Jab series of briefs on vaccine R&D

New PxPulse Podcast Episode!

Listen to the newest PxPulse podcast, “Evolving Strategies for an HIV Vaccine: One researcher explains where the field is going and why,” featuring Katy Stephenson of Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, and the Center for Virology and Vaccine Research. In conversation with AVAC’s Jeanne Baron, Katy provides an accessible breakdown of where the field of HIV vaccine research is, including details on recent trial results that proved ineffective and what’s next (and exciting) in HIV vaccine advocacy and research.

Save the Date for Two Upcoming Webinars!

What’s All the Buzz About: mRNA, manufacturing, vaccines access

Thursday, June 1 at 10am ET / 4pm SAST
Featuring Caryn Fenner of Afrigen Biologics, Ike James of Medicines Patent Pool, and Mike Frick of Treatment Action Group. Register here.

To bNAb or not to bNAb? The case for broadly neutralizing antibodies

Wednesday, June 7 at 10 AM ET / 4 PM SAST
Featuring Slim Abdool Karim of CAPRISA, Pervin Anklesaria of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Khadija Richards of Wits RHI, and Huub Gelderblom of HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN). Register here.

CASPR Partner and Collaborator HVAD Events

Communities across the globe will be engaged in a wide array of events focused on HIV vaccine awareness in the coming days. Here, we provide details on activities the Coalition to Accelerate & Support Prevention Research (CASPR) partners are leading – be sure to watch AVAC’s Twitter for real-time highlights!

• Africa Free of New HIV Infections (AFNHi) conducted a special HVAD episode of its Vuka Afrika show earlier today. If you didn’t tune in live, you can view the recording on YouTube.
• Advocacy for Prevention of HIV and AIDS (APHA) and The Desmond Tutu Health Foundation are hosting an in-person event on HIV vaccine research in collaboration with Vuka Research Centre May at 11 AM to 2 PM SAST at Philippi Village, Cape Town.
• Zambia’s Treatment Advocacy and Literacy Campaign (TALC) hosted a vaccine research literacy session at the Centre for Family Health Research in Lusaka, Zambia on May 12. TALC is also organizing an HVAD march on May 18 in Lusaka to raise vaccine literacy and awareness.
• Uganda Network of AIDS Service Organizations (UNASO) is hosting a press conference on May 18 to discuss research happening in-country and the importance of community involvement in research. UNASO will follow this press conference with a candlelight memorial on May 19.
• APHA and Wits RHI are co-hosting a National Stakeholder Engagement Forum focused on HIV vaccine research in South Africa on May 29, 2 PM SAST / 3 PM EAF / 9 AM ET. Register here.
• IAVI’s ADVANCE program is hosting a regional HVAD conference in Johannesburg, South Africa on May 30, in collaboration with the Aurum Institute and SAHTAC. The conference aims to promote collaboration, partnership, and knowledge-sharing among HIV vaccine stakeholders. To attend virtually, register here.
• While not a CASPR event, we are excited to join the HIV.gov webinar on HVAD – Live with Leadership: A Conversation Commemorating National HIV Vaccine Awareness Day – with a panel that includes PxROAR member Julie Patterson.

New Series of Advocate Briefs

In the weeks to come, we’ll release From the Lab to the Jab, a series of briefs on next generation vaccine research and development; the basics of mRNA technology; initiatives that support local manufacturing; and understanding and overcoming barriers that undermine equitable access to vaccines. Each brief also highlights the advocacy needed to keep these efforts on track and in line with what communities need and want.

New Resources

AVAC has updated our recent HIV vaccine primers. And we’re sharing a viewpoint written in the Journal of the International AIDS Society.

• Phase 1 mRNA HIV Vaccine Trials, a snapshot of current HIV mRNA trials, and a primer on the basics of mRNA technology.
• Experimental Medicine Vaccine Trials (EMVTs), a two-page primer on EMVTs and their role in HIV prevention research.
• Antibodies for HIV prevention: the path forward — appearing in the Journal of the International AIDS Society

As the science continues to advance, we hope these resources inform our collective advocacy. With the knowledgeable voices of advocates guiding the response, scientific successes will not be squandered, communities won’t be left behind, programs will be people-centered, and epidemics will end.