January 26, 2021
Today at a press conference hosted by the HIV Research for Prevention (HIV R4P) conference, research teams presented a range of data from studies of antibody-mediated prevention (AMP), long-acting injectable PrEP, a monthly PrEP pill and trends in daily oral PrEP use. Together, they point to a future of HIV prevention, in research and programs, with a greater understanding of the biology that informs effective prevention, enhanced trial designs and a wider range of prevention options.
HIV R4P Virtual 2021 officially kicks off tomorrow, January 27th. Today’s press conference offered top-line findings from the scientific presentations that will be made later this week. These data have not yet been published in peer-reviewed journals but warrant close attention for their implications for the field.
Taken together, this suite of studies offer a set of clear imperatives for HIV prevention: national governments, funders and advocates must work to continue to increase access to daily oral PrEP; and work to ensure that today’s PrEP programs provide a platform for tomorrow’s products, including injectable cabotegravir and the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring. At the same time, research must continue, including efficacy trials of Islatravir and other next-generation PrEP options and research that builds on the AMP results to inform both antibody and vaccine development. Click here to read AVAC’s press statement on these new data.
And just after the press conference, the World Health Organization officially recommended the Dapivirine Vaginal Ring (DVR) be included as a prevention choice for women at risk of HIV. This recommendation, along with a similar, strong statement for choice in the recent PEPFAR Country Operating Plan guidance, represents a critical step in making the DVR available to women who want it, and paving the way for additional prevention options.
As a reminder, here are sessions and a schedule for the Advocates Corner, to tune in as you’re able, where AVAC and partners will be shining light on the prevention agenda.