Definate Nhamo

Definate is currently working on dapivirine ring planning and introduction under the PROMISE consortium, funded by USAID. She has also been a lead on projects to roll out PrEP in Zimbabwe. Previously, through her work on the Shaping the Health of Adolescents in Zimbabwe (SHAZ!) Project, Definate developed extensive experience working with orphaned and vulnerable adolescent girls and young women living on the streets. She won the Young Women Investigator’s prize at the 2013 International AIDS Society Conference in Malaysia for her abstract on adolescents and gender-based violence.

Fellowship Focus
Definate advocated for comprehensive HIV prevention options for young women and for their integration into sexual and reproductive health programs in Zimbabwe. She documented the perspectives of young women that she used to inform the consolidated national guidelines. She also worked with researchers and civil society members to prepare for microbicide trial results and accelerate regulatory considerations once results were released, as well as to influence the rollout of PrEP in Zimbabwe.

Definate’s Media Advocacy

Everlyne Ombati

Everlyn is the program coordinator for CBEC-KEMRI Bioethics Training Initiative (CKBTI), an NIH FIC funded bioethics training program established to create bioethics capacity in Kenya. She has extensive experience with biomedical research and regulatory issues through her work with the Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) and has been involved in coordinating the process of reviewing and restructuring of the research regulatory system within KEMRI.

Fellowship Focus
Everlyn focused on advocacy for options designed to meet women’s multiple and diverse needs. She worked closely with Fellow Teresia Njoki to ensure that new HIV prevention options for women are part of the conversation in discussing Kenya’s future planning for prevention at the national and county levels. She built awareness around and prepared the ground for rollout of multipurpose prevention technologies (MPTs). Once developed, these options will prevent unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. She engaged three distinct levels of participants: community/end users, the research community/medical fraternity and regulators. Her project captured perceptions, knowledge and interest around MPTs in order to determine whether MPTs are a recognized need, explored what kind of products would be acceptable in Kenya and promoted awareness of MPTs. She also engaged regulators to discuss the ethical development of MPTs and the regulatory challenges faced in their introduction.

In Their Own Words
It is challenging to advocate for products like MPTs that aren’t available yet, so it’s important to be careful with the language we use to manage communities’ expectations. Also, these products must be introduced in a way that complements already existing products rather than one that alienates or stigmatizes them.

Everlyne’s Media Advocacy

• New Pregnancy HIV Prevention Tools On The Way
• Kenya: Deliver HIV Prevention Tools to Young Women

Materials
Poster – Raising awareness for microbicides and multipurpose prevention technologies in Kenya

Avac Event

PrEP That Booty: The latest on rectal microbicide research for the back door

Thursday, June 29 at 9:00 AM–10:30AM ET

Most of what we hear about regarding the HIV prevention pipeline is about long-acting, longer-acting, and even longer-acting products that deliver drug throughout the body and require a trained clinician to deliver. However, these attributes are not desirable to many folks, and communities want a range of choices. Researchers and advocates for years have been working on HIV prevention products specifically for the back door (rectum) to provide protection during anal intercourse. These products are user-controlled, non-systemic (the drug stays in the booty and only the booty), and are short-acting, so you don’t have to commit to having a prevention drug in your body for a year or longer. Join us for a dynamic discussion regarding the latest research on Booty PrEP – aka rectal microbicides – with our multi-talented panel.

Speakers include: Jonathan Baker, PA, Laser Surgery Care, Dr. Craig Hendrix, Johns Hopkins, Juan Michael Porter II, The Body, and Dr. Sharon Riddler, University of Pittsburgh

Avac Event

HIV Prevention Plus Plus: Developing Options that Meet the Full Range of our Sexual and Reproductive Health Needs

Tuesday, April 25 at 9:00 AM–10:30AM ET

Despite a dynamic research and development (R&D) pipeline for prevention products, male and female condoms remain the only multi-purpose prevention technologies (MPTs) currently available. Yet MPTs are an integral part of the HIV prevention advocacy agenda. For decades, advocates have pushed for products to be developed that simultaneously prevent HIV, other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and/or pregnancy.

With a growing number of PrEP options already, what will it take to bring a new MPT to market? A Dual Prevention Pill (DPP – https://www.prepwatch.org/products/dual-prevention-pill/) that prevents both HIV and pregnancy could be just two years away. Looking further upstream, there are over 25 other MPTs in the pipeline (https://www.prepwatch.org/research-pipeline/), including vaginal rings, which would follow in the footsteps of the dapivirine vaginal ring recommended by WHO and recently approved in several countries.

Within this fast-evolving HIV prevention landscape, work is already underway to build a platform to introduce the DPP, which could speed up the rollout of other MPTs. Join us to hear what we’ve learned so far on R&D, marketing, counseling and delivery for MPTs – and to discuss what we can do now to prepare prevention markets to include new MPT options.

Featured Speakers:
Ruth Akulu, ICWEA, AVAC fellow
Barbara Friedland, Population Council
Gregorio Millet, amfAR
Dr. Thesla Palanee-Phillips, Wits RHI
Danielle Resar, Clinton Health Access Initiative
Co-moderators: Wawira Nyagah, AVAC Kate Segal, AVAC

This webinar is a part of The Choice Agenda.

Upcoming TCA Webinars On CROI And The Ring!

The Choice Agenda, a global forum for advocacy on the latest in HIV prevention, has two webinars coming up you won’t want to miss:

CROI and Community and YOU – Preparing for CROI 2023
Wednesday, September 7 at 10:00-11:00am ET; 2:00-3:00pm GMT

Register here.

Join the conversation with co-chairs of the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI), as well as researchers, advocates, community educators and members of the Community Liaison Subcommittee. The discussion will touch on what to expect at CROI 2023, which features some of the most consequential research on HIV, monkeypox, SARS-CoV-2 and more. The webinar will also cover how to apply for a Community Scholarship, and key dates and deadlines for engaging with the conference. Remarks from:

Dawn Averitt, Member of the Community Liaison Subcommittee
Dr. James Hoxie, Chair of the 2023 CROI Planning Committee
Drs. Diane Havlir, Vice-Chair of the 2023 CROI Planning Committee
Landon Myer, Vice-Chair of the 2023 CROI Planning Committee
Jim Pickett, Member of the Community Liaison Subcommittee
Ntando Yola, Member of the Community Liaison Subcommittee

RINGing the bell for Choice: Actions and Solutions on Dapivirine Ring Access
Thursday, September 22 at 9:00-10:30am ET; 1:00-2:30pm GMT

Register here.

This webinar will offer the latest from African advocates leading efforts to demand access to the dapivirine vaginal ring. In recent weeks, advocates have been pressing PEPFAR and others to do more to deliver the ring to women who want it. The Population Council will also discuss their plans for moving forward a full agenda for ring technology, including rolling out the approved monthly PrEP Ring, and continuing research on a three-month ring and multipurpose technology. In July, the Population Council announced it had acquired the ring technologies from the International Partnership for Microbicides, the ring’s developer. Speakers include:

Yvette Raphael, Advocacy for Prevention of HIV and AIDS, South Africa
Leonard Solai, IPM, South Africa
Erica Gollub, Pace University
Chris Obermeyer, The Global Fund

For previous webinars from The Choice Agenda, check out our archive here! And join more than 600 advocates on the TCA listserve by reaching out to Jim at jimberlypickett@gmail.com.

New Issue of PxWire!

PxWire is AVAC’s quarterly update covering the latest in the field of biomedical HIV prevention research and development, implementation and advocacy. Each issue includes news, emerging issues and features upcoming events.

The HIV field gathers for its first hybrid International AIDS Conference (IAC) since the start of COVID-19 pandemic at a pivotal moment in HIV prevention. Across research to rollout – accelerated product access, new products reaching the market, new trials starting (and pausing) and recent research results – the ability to deliver two new proven PrEP methods will be determined by conversations and decisions happening now.

After initial approval ten years ago, oral PrEP initiations have surpassed 2M globally, reaching 2,797,304 – with significant progress over the past year, but still well below UN targets.

Check out the full issue of PxWire here and scroll down for important updates.

Dual Prevention Pill: Integrating services and expanding choices

Advocates are coming together from several fields to plan for the introduction of the Dual Prevention Pill (DPP). Currently in development, this daily pill would prevent both HIV and pregnancy. Once approved, the DPP would be an important new option in a menu of choices for contraception and HIV prevention, paving the way for additional multi-purpose prevention technologies (MPTs) in the pipeline. Advocacy to ensure these options become real choices will be essential.

In April, AVAC and FP2030 convened a consultation with family planning (FP) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) stakeholders to understand their unique perspectives on the DPP. The consultation put a spotlight on key questions and issues that will inform planning for DPP introduction, the development and delivery of future MPTs and, hopefully, accelerate the integration of SRH and HIV prevention programs.

The consultation identified key issues including the need to:

Understand the market for the DPP. Demand is expected from a segment of the market of women looking for contraception and HIV prevention.
Program health services to allow for method switching. Individual women may change what contraception they prefer at different times in their lives.
Educate providers, partners and communities about the DPP in the context of HIV prevention and contraception. Overcoming stigma and community acceptance are fundamental to supporting women to use the DPP and other prevention methods.
Expand, integrate and demedicalize health services now, and include access to oral PrEP in particular, which will create a model for increasing access to the DPP and other MPTs.

Learn more with the resources below!

April 12th DPP Consultation materials, including recording and slides. See the FP2030 landing page here.
Meeting summary featuring key takeaways and top questions. French version here.
Updated FAQs on the DPP.

Consultation with FP/SRH Stakeholders on the Dual Prevention Pill

This report summarizes and reports next steps from an AVAC and FP2030 convened consultation with family planning (FP) and sexual and reproductive health (SRH) stakeholders. The aim of the consultation was to understand stakeholders’ unique perspectives on the Dual Prevention Pill (DPP), a daily oral pill that prevents HIV and pregnancy. The consultation helped to elevate questions and issues to consider as DPP introduction plans are refined and that can also inform the development and delivery of future multi-purpose prevention technologies (MPTs).

New Resources on the Science from CROI, the Ring, DPP and More!

In this week’s roundup, you’ll find details on an upcoming webinar covering the stand-out science from CROI 2022; an important read on vaccine equity; new resources to support advocacy for the dapivirine vaginal ring; resources for learning about and advocating for the Dual Prevention Pill; and a special tribute to Zena Stein.

Webinar: The most notable science at CROI

Wednesday, April 27, 2022 at 9:30am ET/15:00 SAST
Join us, the CROI Community Liaison Subcommittee, and European AIDS Treatment Group for a webinar to debrief on this year’s CROI. A fabulous panel will unpack findings from the conference, share perspectives, and offer advocacy suggestions. Topics will span science presented on HIV prevention and treatment, HIV and aging, HIV cure, and COVID-19. Register here. Recorded sessions from CROI 2022 are now available on demand. For context on the sessions, the recordings from the Margarita Breakfast Clubs explore findings from the research of the day at CROI.

Read Vaccine equity: The rollout that needs a booster shot

An opinion piece in The Hill newspaper by AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren points out connections in global health that cut across disease and must be addressed for biomedical products to reach those who need them most. “COVID-19 has shown us the fragility of our efforts to end diseases in places where poverty is entrenched…. We invest hundreds of millions in large trials but nothing similar on how to disseminate the results…. This is not unique to any one disease: We have seen it in the lack of global vaccine equity in the COVID-19 response and we’ve seen it in TB and HIV…. We are achieving breakthroughs in developing new medicines and vaccines, but we are failing to deliver them with equity and with impact. It is well past time to do better.”

Important Voices: Ring user speak out

A video series, developed by the USAID-funded MOSAIC Project, features the voices of women from trials in Kenya, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe that tested the dapivirine vaginal ring. Trial participants explain why the ring works for them and their need for future access to this HIV prevention method.

Watch This Space: HIV and unintended pregnancy prevention

Last week, AVAC and FP2030 held a consultation on the Dual Prevention Pill (DPP), a daily pill that is currently being developed for the simultaneous prevention of unintended pregnancy and HIV acquisition. The webinar brought in dynamic perspectives from the family planning and sexual & reproductive health communities. Be sure to keep this on your radar, as there will be more opportunities at AIDS2022 to learn more, get your questions answered and develop advocacy priorities for this promising multipurpose technology. Currently, the DPP is moving through the R&D process and could be available as early as 2024. It would be the first MPT available. Get more details on the DPP on PrEPWatch.org.

Listen: Life and legacy of Zena Stein

To reflect on the legacy of Zena Stein, a public health, human rights and HIV prevention champion who influenced so many working in HIV prevention, the editor of the American Journal of Public Health produced a video-podcast conversation with CAPRISA’s Quarraisha Abdool Karim and AVAC’s Mitchell Warren.

Reading, Resources and Webinars

At AVAC, we are seeing remarkable new developments and opportunities to engage in HIV and COVID research, development and advocacy. Here is a round-up of what’s been happening, essential reading and resources to help in your advocacy efforts, and some upcoming webinars to join.

In PrEP

Dapivirine Vaginal Ring Approved in South Africa

The South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) approved the monthly dapivirine vaginal ring for use by women to reduce their HIV risk. South Africa joins Zimbabwe as the first countries to announce approval of the ring, which is already recommended by the World Health Organization as an additional prevention option. The ring’s developer, the International Partnership for Microbicides, has also submitted additional applications for review by several other Eastern and Southern African countries, and advocates are actively engaged in making the ring accessible, including the fabulous new EmpoweRing campaign from our colleagues at ICWEA. AVAC’s Nandi Luthuli told Herald Live, “we know that the most effective intervention is the one someone picks for themselves among an array of effective choices.”

Updates on Injectable Cabotegravir for PrEP

Following US FDA approval of injectable cabotegravir for PrEP in December, there has been a cascade of activities—and a huge need for advocacy! Multiple additional regulatory agencies are reviewing the application; WHO convened their Guidelines Review Group meeting earlier this month, and guidelines are expected mid-year; and Unitaid announced funding for the first two implementation science projects to introduce injectable PrEP, in Brazil and South Africa. A key lesson from oral PrEP over the past decade has been the essential role of civil society; and advocates released a number of important statements—AfroCAB released two sign-on statements: Communities demand ViiV/GSK accelerate access to CAB-LA in LMICs and ViiV continues to not meet our demands to ensure CAB-LA is accessible for our communities, and a leading group Southern African women’s health advocates released a statement by Southern African Women Advocates in Advance of ViiV Convening. Stay tuned for our updated call to action and roadmap to ensure injectable PrEP and the ring get introduced faster and more strategically.

In Vaccines

New HIV Vaccine Study Using mRNA Platform Launched

The NIH also announced a new study to test three mRNA-based HIV vaccine candidates. This study follows an announcement in January from IAVI about another mRNA-based HIV vaccine study. AVAC is preparing a suite of materials on the latest in HIV vaccine research, development and advocacy for HIV Vaccine Awareness Day in May, so stay tuned. In the meantime, check out this snapshot that compares the two studies.

In COVID

New Resources for Journalists

The COVID-19 pandemic spawned an infodemic inside the onslaught of COVID-related information. Journalists struggle to identify reliable information in the everchanging pandemic landscape. With support from the Rockefeller Foundation, AVAC is expanding our partnership with Internews and our Media Cafe program conveners to support journalists covering HIV prevention science to include reporting on COVID. Check out the curated resources to help journalists find high-quality, understandable information.

WEBINAR: COVID-19 GPP Resources, 6 April at 9am ET/3pm SAST

While there are some resources that address stakeholder engagement in COVID-19 research, they may not adequately reflect the needs of advocates. Join AVAC and partners for a conversation to discuss advocates’ needs and shape the development of future resources. Register here.

WEBINAR: New COVID-19 Vaccines Trials in Sub-Saharan Africa, 6 April at 1oam ET/4pm SAST

Join us for a special webinar on the Ubuntu trial, hosted by the COVID Advocates Advisory Board (CAAB) and our Coalition to Accelerate and Support Prevention Research (CASPR). Led by the COVID-19 Prevention Network (CoVPN), Ubuntu is a new, landmark COVID-19 vaccine trial in sub-Saharan Africa investigating the efficacy of mRNA vaccines in people living with HIV against the omicron variant. Register here.

In Cure

WEBINAR: Breaking Down the Latest in HIV Cure Research, 5 April at 11am ET/5pm SAST

At CROI 2022, a number of exciting updates on HIV cure research were announced, including the most recent case of HIV remission after a stem cell transplant. Join a conversation with researchers as they break down the recent case of HIV cure, which is the first such cure in a woman. Speakers will also provide updates from an ongoing trial studying pediatric remission. Join to learn what these advances mean for science and for people living with HIV. Register here.

In Integration of Sexual Reproductive Health and HIV

WEBINAR: Consultation on the Dual Prevention Pill, 12 April at 8:30am ET/2:30pm SAST
Join FP2030 and AVAC for a conversation about The Dual Prevention Pill (DPP), a daily oral pill that is currently being developed for the simultaneous prevention of unintended pregnancy and HIV acquisition. This consultative webinar will highlight unique perspectives from stakeholder in the fields of family planning and sexual & reproductive health. Register here.

Just Published: Catalyzing action on HIV/SRH integration: lessons from Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe to spur investment

We’re excited to announce this new publication – Catalyzing action on HIV/SRH integration: lessons from Kenya, Malawi, and Zimbabwe to spur investment – in the Global Health Action journal. This publication builds on the partnership between our HIV Prevention Market Manager project, ministry of health officials in Kenya, Malawi and Zimbabwe, and Georgetown University’s Center for Innovation in Global Health, and is a call to catalyze actions by development partners in support of national strategies to integrate HIV and SRH information and services.

We hope these resources offer you the context and tools you need to use your passion and add your voice to the work ahead.