From the Lab to Jab are a series of briefs to learn the latest in vaccine R&D for HIV, COVID-19, TB and other global public health threats. Access them all here and stay tuned for a related webinar in early 2024. Watch this space or sign up for our email newsletter.
From the Lab to the Jab
A series of advocate guides to the latest in vaccine R&D
Advancing Choice in HIV Prevention
In recent weeks, important new resources for advancing choice in HIV prevention have been announced. Don’t miss these highlights from the field. They point to an HIV response in transition, and help to define the role advocacy must play. As policy, practice and budgets strive to keep up with advances in research, advocacy around choice becomes a cross-cutting priority—so that the promise of new options in HIV prevention won’t be squandered in siloed programs, or by poorly-planned supply chains, or because of disconnected policy decisions. People have diverse needs and face complex challenges; ending HIV depends on finding the option that works best for each individual.
The Choice Manifesto 
The African Women’s HIV Prevention Community Accounability Board (AWPCAB) launched the HIV Prevention Choice Manifesto, calling for increased political and financial support to ensure every proven method of HIV prevention is integrated into the HIV response, so that all women who need prevention will have access to the options that will make prevention possible for them. At the launch event in Kampala, UNAIDS Executive Director Winnie Byanyima gave a keynote address in support of the Manifesto’s call for all stakeholders to commit to the budgets and strategies that will make choice possible.
“I congratulate you for the HIV Prevention Choice Manifesto. It’s about pushing everyone towards people-centered, women-centered and women-led approaches to HIV prevention. You have fought with your lives to get here. You are fearless feminists. Women must lead for themselves.” – Winnie Byanyima, UNAIDS Executive Director
Learn more about the HIV Prevention Choice Manifesto and other advocacy resources for choice in our latest AVAC blog, Reclaiming Choice: The launch of the HIV Prevention Choice Manifesto and what that means.
The Dual Prevention Pill (DPP)
The DPP Consortium created a multiyear strategy to frame priorities and next steps in the development and delivery of the dual prevention pill (DPP), which is being developed to prevent HIV and unintended pregnancy. This multipurpose prevention technology (MPT) combines oral PrEP with an oral contraceptive. The updated strategy consolidates two years of progress toward preparing the field for new MPTs. The strategy addresses additions to the MPT pipeline, the potential role of the private sector in delivering a future DPP, recommendations for provider counseling on the use of the DPP, market research on potential DPP users, the latest analysis on cost, and more.
Stay tuned for more resources and updates to come on the DPP, the Choice Manifesto, and tools for connecting choice to HIV prevention, ending the epidemic and the role of choice in global health equity in HIV, and beyond.
Experimental Medicine Vaccine Trials (EMVTs): Opportunities and Challenges
In 2023, AVAC and CASPR partners cast a spotlight on many issues and opportunities for HIV vaccine science. This one-pager highlights key conversations.
Avac Event
SCOPE Community E-meeting: Developments in the HIV and STIs biomedical prevention pipeline
The European AIDS Treatment Group, along with European and local organizations are coming together for a virtual meeting via Zoom e-meeting on Wednesday, May 24 at 6:00 to 7:30 AM ET (12:00 – 13:30 PM CET).
This interactive e-meeting for community educators and advocates will provide an update on the latest developments in biomedical HIV and STIs prevention research and implementation, new approaches and future challenges. Participants will learn from each other and discuss community preferences, uptake and access issues, as well as advocacy efforts to overcome policy and financial barriers at local, regional and European level. Live interpretation in English and Russian will be provided. This meeting is part of the SCOPE Project.
Avac Event
Where Are We Now and What’s Next?: Mosaico Study Update
A Phase 3 study of an investigational HIV vaccine regimen has been discontinued following a planned, interim review by the study’s independent Data and Safety Monitoring Board. The investigational vaccine was generally safe and well tolerated; however, it was not effective at preventing the acquisition of HIV-1.
The results of the uniquely designed and implemented Mosaico study underscore the challenges that have faced the global scientific community in the 40-year search for an HIV vaccine, and may provide important data in the ongoing fight against HIV. Join the HIV Vaccine Trials Network and AVAC and key voices from the study including study investigators and community representatives in this important webinar as we will discuss the outcome of the Mosaico study, and discuss what these results mean and next steps.
Avac Event
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day Webinar Series
This year marks the 25th anniversary of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day. Nothing about HIV vaccine research has ever been easy, and this past year has shown us how difficult this research is, and how essential it continues to be.
Join us for a webinar series this month to mark important milestones in HIV vaccine development and discuss the path forward. The series is chaired by Bill Snow and Stacey Hannah and offers expert perspective on three angles that are critical to vaccine development: Platforms, Processes and Prospects.
Platforms & Pipelines
Wednesday May 18, 2022
The miracle of mRNA: What’s possible beyond SARS-CoV-2—understanding mRNA, its history and potential challenges for HIV vaccines. With Bart Haynes (Duke), Nina Russel (Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation) and Ntando Yola (DTHF).
Recording and Slides: YouTube / Nina Russell’s Slides / Bart Haynes’ Slides
Processes
Tuesday May 24, 2022
The changed landscape of clinical research: the potential for experimental medicine vaccine trials in the current research environment. With Gail Broder (HVTN), Pontiano Kaleebu (MRC-UK) and Robin Shattock (Imperial College).
Recording and Slides: YouTube / Robin Shattock’s Slides / Gail Broder’s Slides / Pontiano Kaleebu’s Slides
Prospects
Tuesday May 31, 2022 @ 10.00am EDT
What have we learned, why it matters and what it means? Understanding recent results in HIV vaccine research and implications for the future. Unpacking results from Uhambo and Imbokodo trials and understanding the implications for the current pipeline of products. With Galit Alter (Harvard), William Kilembe (ZEHRP), Ethel Makila (IAVI) and Dale Hu (NIH).
Recording: YouTube
Avac Event
HVAD 2022 Webinar: Processes
On Tuesday, May 24, 2022, AVAC and partners held Processes, the second webinar in our HVAD 2022 webinar series. The moderators and panelists discussed the changed landscape of clinical research and the potential for experimental medicine vaccine trials in the current research environment.
Moderators:
- Stacey Hannah, AVAC’s Director of Research Engagement
- Bill Snow, AVAC Senior Advisor
Panelists:
- Robin Shattock, Imperial College
- Gail Broder, HVTN
- Pontiano Kaleebu, MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit
Recording and Slides: YouTube / Robin Shattock’s Slides / Gail Broder’s Slides / Pontiano Kaleebu’s Slides
Avac Event
HVAD 2022 Webinar: Prospects
On Tuesday, May 31, AVAC and partners held Prospects, the third webinar in our HVAD 2022 webinar series. The moderators and panelists discussed the what we have learned, why it matters and what it means. They looked at recent results in HIV vaccine research and implications for the future, unpacked results from Uhambo and Imbokodo trials and talked about the implications for the current pipeline of products.
Moderators:
- Stacey Hannah, AVAC’s Director of Research Engagement
- Bill Snow, AVAC Senior Advisor
Panelists:
Avac Event
HVAD 2022 Webinar: Platforms & Pipelines
On Wednesday, May 18, 2022, AVAC and partners held Platforms & Pipelines, the first webinar in our HVAD 2022 webinar series. The moderators and panelists will discussed the miracle of mRNA—its history and potential challenges for HIV vaccines and what’s possible beyond SARS-CoV-2.
Moderators:
- Stacey Hannah, AVAC’s Director of Research Engagement
- Bill Snow, AVAC Senior Advisor
Panelists:
- Bart Haynes, Duke
- Nina Russell, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
- Ntando Yola, DTHF and APHA
Recording and Slides: YouTube / Nina Russell’s Slides / Bart Haynes’ Slides
Avac Event
Imbokodo Vaccine Trial Results and Implications for the Field—A Global Discussion
Johnson & Johnson and partners announced that the Imbokodo study, a large-scale HIV vaccine proof-of-concept trial also known as HVTN 705/HPX2008, did not significantly reduce the overall risk of HIV acquisition among over 2,600 women in five sub-Saharan African countries.
On September 9, AVAC held a global webinar to discuss this development and the implications for the HIV vaccine field. Watch the recording.