This week, the 32nd annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) kicks off, running March 9–12 in San Francisco, CA. CROI opens under drastically altered circumstances, as the new US Administration’s assault on global health and research devastates the HIV response. Foreign aid programs are frozen, US agencies championing science and global health are being dismantled, and US leadership around the world is receding at a critical moment.
Despite these challenges, scientists and advocates will come together—though many from pivotal US health agencies will be missing—to confront the impact and implications of these changes and join in solidarity to strategize a future for public health, help advance research and ensure that hard-won progress in HIV is not lost.
Whether attending in person or not, we share ways to follow along and join in the discussion and debate.
New Issue of PxWire
This issue released just ahead of CROI dives into the devastating impact of the new US administration on HIV prevention—from crippling existing PrEP delivery to threatening the rollout of LEN for PrEP and paralyzing R&D.
Follow Along
In the midst of it all, we’re tracking several promising PrEP developments including new data on the investigational monthly oral PrEP pill, MK-8527; data from lenacapavir for PrEP’s PURPOSE 1 study on preferences for injectable versus oral PrEP; the dapvirine vaginal ring (DVR) in pregnancy; doxycycline as post-exposure prophylaxis (DoxyPEP) to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs); the latest in HIV cure and control; and more.
Be part of the conversation by following AVAC on BlueSky at @hivpxresearch.bsky.social, and be sure to sign up and follow our partner, Aidsmap, which we’re delighted to know is back in action and reporting from the conference.
Community Breakfast Clubs
Join the CROI Community Liaisons, AVAC, the European AIDS Treatment Group, and partners for daily Community Breakfast Clubs. These live webinars feature researchers and advocates exploring some of the most consequential science and discussions from CROI. They are open to all; CROI registration not required.
Monday, March 10, 7:00am – 8:00am PT
Breaking New Ground: The latest advances in HIV Cure
Tuesday, March 11, 7:00am – 8:00am PT
The End of AIDS- Near and Far? (40 Years of HIV)
Wednesday, March 12, 7:00am – 8:00am PT
Still Here! Living with HIV Long-term (treatment, aging, and co-morbidities)
Click here to determine the time in your location.
Sessions of Interest
Monday, March 10
- 8:30 – 09:30am PT: Plenary 1, The Global HIV/AIDS Pandemic: Where Are We Now? Chris Beyrer, Duke Global Health Institute, Durham, NC, USA
- 10:30am PT: Oral Abstract Session 3, Lenacapavir Pharmacokinetics, Safety, and Efficacy in Adolescents and Adults in PURPOSE 1
- 1:30 – 2:30pm PT: Themed Discussion, Meeting the Treatment and Prevention Needs of Transgender Women
- 4:00 – 5:30pm PT: Symposium 3, Closing the Gaps in the HIV Response
- 6:00 – 7:00pm PT: Save Our Sciences Rally to Protect HIV Research!
Tuesday, March 11
- 10:00 – 11:00am PT: Oral Abstract 7, Antivirals for HIV, MPXV, and SARS-CoV-2: New Drug Strategies and Resistance; and Oral Abstract 8, New Frontiers in STI Prevention
- 4:00 – 5:30pm PT: Interactive Symposium 7, Long-Acting Preexposure Prophylaxis for HIV Prevention
Wednesday, March 12
- 10:00am – 12:00pm PT: Oral Abstract 12, Expanding the Prevention Toolbox
- 1:30 – 2:30pm PT: Themed Discussion 13, Lessons in DoxyPEP Implementation
- 4:00 – 5:30pm PT: Interactive Symposium 10, Putting People at the Center of Prevention: New Models of Delivery
Looking forward to seeing you at the daily Breakfast Club sessions and to working together to ensure science and open discussion and debate continue.