Avac Event

Webinar: Introducing Oral PrEP: A step-by-step framework, tools and updates

At CROI 2018 we heard stories, saw new data, and had lots of questions about early PrEP rollout. On Wednesday, April 18th, AVAC and partners from Jilinde in Kenya and PZAT in Zimbabwe explored valuable resources for people working to deliver oral PrEP. See below for some of the tools and resources we will explored and discussed during the webinar.

  • Country Updates and the Global PrEP Tracker provide the status of PrEP.
  • A Framework For Scaling Up PrEP provides step-by-step guidance for introducing PrEP into new settings.
  • PrEP Resources aims to be a central repository for materials currently being used by programs—in areas such as global guidance; national policies and guidelines; M&E; training curricula; advocacy; implementation; and demand creation.

All of these materials (and many more) can be found on PrEPWatch.org, the clearinghouse for oral PrEP efforts across the globe.

Recording: YouTube / Audio / Slides

Avac Event

Webinar: Vaccine and Cure Research in Europe: the EHVA and HIVACAR Consortiums

AVAC PxROAR Europe presents a webinar introducing European approaches to HIV vaccines and a cure:

  • The European HIV Alliance’s Sheena McCormack will discuss HIV vaccines and the quest to identify immune correlates associated with control of HIV replication. The EHVA is a consortium of 39 partners from eleven countries in Europe plus four in sub-Saharan Africa and the US. It is pursuing a number of different preventative vaccine strategies including improved viral vectors, modified versions of HIV envelope proteins and dendritic-cell vaccines.
  • HIVACAR’s Felipe Garcia will discuss research into a therapeutic alternative to “cART for life” (combined antiretroviral therapy). An innovative strategy based on the patient’s immune system that is safe, affordable and scalable to achieve the functional cure of HIV-1 infection will be tested in a Phase I/IIa clinical trial. HIVACAR is a 14-site consortium evaluating a combination of immune-based therapies to achieve a functional cure of HIV infection.

Both EHVA and HIVACAR are funded by the European Union’s Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme.

Recording: YouTube / Audio / EHVA Slides / HIVACAR Slides

Avac Event

Webinar: HVAD 2018

On Thursday, May 17, AVAC’s HVAD 2018 webinar told the story of the current state of HIV vaccine research from two perspectives. Dr. Sandhya Vasan of the Military HIV Research Program in Thailand provided her perspectives on the world of HIV vaccine research since RV144: where have we come and where are we going? Mark Hubbard, a veteran vaccine advocate and community representative for HIV research in Nashville, Tennessee offered his take from a community and advocacy perspective: what are today’s current successes and challenges, and how are community members pushing the HIV vaccine agenda?

Recording: YouTube / Audio / Dr. Sandhya Vasan’s Slides / Mark Hubbard’s Slides

Avac Event

Swish or Insert Then Flirt: An update on rectal microbicides

On Thursday, September 17, IRMA and AVAC hosted this global teleconference which discussed rectal microbicide studies underway and being planned that incorporate common anal sex practices, focusing on the development of gels, douches, fast-dissolving rectal tablets (inserts) and suppositories – options that recognize the complexity of sex, human nature, pleasure and HIV.

Presenters included Jose Bauermeister (University of Pennsylvania), Kenneth Ho (University of Pittsburgh) and Craig Hendrix (Johns Hopkins). IRMA’s Jim Picket will moderated the call.

Recording: YouTube / Audio / Jose Bauermeister’s Slides / Kenneth Ho’s Slides / Craig Hendrix’s Slides

Avac Event

HIV R4P 2018

HIV R4P Logo

HIVR4P is the world’s first and only international scientific meeting dedicated exclusively to biomedical HIV prevention research.

Table of Contents

Conference Program & AVAC’s Roadmap

View the conference program here or download the PDF.

For those joining in-person, AVAC made this roadmap of conference sessions and satellites, sortable by intervention.

Updates from Madrid

Follow the official R4P Facebook and Twitter accounts. AVAC will also be posting from the conference on Twitter.

Webcasts

The HIVR4P webcast library features recorded presentations from current and past conferences, making them accessible world-wide and free of charge. Take a look!

Satellites with AVAC and Partners

Sunday, 21 October

Advocates’ Pre-Conference Workshop
AVAC, IRMA, NHVMAS
Provides an overview of the field and explores cross-cutting issues, priorities and common goals. Click for the full schedule.

Planning for Success: Next Steps for Dapivirine Ring
OPTIONS, IPM
Stakeholders share research and experience to inform next steps for introduction. Download the flyer and view the webcast.

Social Sciences in Vaccine Trials: A Booster to Recruit Volunteers
ANRS, Vaccine Research Institute
Time: 12:30-14:30​
Location: Marsella

Monday, 22 October

Current State of Play: PrEP Implementation Update and Challenges
AVAC, WHO
A look at the status of PrEP and future products, and approaches to implementation in low and middle income countries, including challenges and controversies.
Time: 8:30-11:30
Location: Bristol

Voices in the Long-acting PrEP Movement: Fostering Dialog Between End-users and Product Developers During the Product Development Process

AVAC, RTI International, Desmond Tutu HIV Research Foundation, IAVI
Time: 8:30-11:30
Location: Burdeos

GPP@10—Setting New Standards for Clinical Trial Engagement Globally
AVAC, Amsterdam Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases
How Good Participatory Practice evolved over the last ten years with a look at implementation, challenges, and the status of GPP as a standard in clinical trials.
Time: 8:30-11:30
Location: Marsella

Whose Desire? Whose Choice? A Debate on the Future of HIV Prevention
AVAC, IRMA
Panelists unpack the priorities for HIV prevention research and product development and debate what it means to give people choices.
Time: 12:00-15:00
Location: Oxford

Accelerating a Labor of Love: Time to Transform HIV Prevention for Pregnant and Breastfeeding Women
AVAC, Jhpiego, MTN, PHASES
A look at the growing body of evidence and advocacy for biomedical HIV prevention options for pregnant and breastfeeding women. Download the flyer.
Time: 12:00-15:00
Location: Estrasburgo

The Omololu Falobi Award for Excellence in HIV Prevention Research Community Advocacy
African Microbicides Advocacy Group (AMAG), AVAC, IRMA, Journalists Against AIDS in Nigeria (JAAIDS), NHVMAS
This award honors individuals who have shown extraordinary leadership and commitment to HIV prevention research advocacy and inspired others to action. This year’s recipient will be announced during the opening session, 17:47-17:55.
Location: Auditorium

Tuesday, 23 October

Entry Into the PrEP Continuum (oral abstract)
Tracking Global Oral PrEP Provision: The Who, What, Where of Oral PrEP
Time: 10:30-12:00
Location: Marsella, Burdeos & Estrasburgo

ARVs for Prevention: Extrapolating from Data to Clinical Practice (symposium)
The PrEP Paradigm for Prevention, Advocacy and Implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: Strong Starts, Short Cuts, and the Use (and Abuse?) of Data
Time: 15:00-16:30
Location: Marsella, Burdeos & Estrasburgo

Wednesday, 24 October

Accelerating Product Introduction for Impact (roundtable)
Time: 15:00-16:30
Location: Bristol

Trials and Tribulations in Roll Out (poster discussion session)
Time: 16:45-17:30
Location: Oxford

Thursday, 25 October

Opinion 360: Meaningful Engagement From Research to Roll Out (oral abstract)
Time: 8:30-10:00
Location: Oxford

Putting It Together: Strategies to End the Epidemic (closing plenary)
Implementing a Multi-disciplinary Prevention Revolution
Time: 15:00-16:30
Location: Auditorium

In the Sessions: AVAC at R4P

Tuesday, October 23

Entry Into the PrEP Continuum (oral abstract)
Tracking Global Oral PrEP Provision: The Who, What, Where of Oral PrEP
Time: 10:30-12:00
Location: Marsella, Burdeos & Estrasburgo

ARVs for Prevention: Extrapolating from Data to Clinical Practice (symposium)
The PrEP Paradigm for Prevention, Advocacy and Implementation in sub-Saharan Africa: Strong Starts, Short Cuts, and the Use (and Abuse?) of Data
Time: 15:00-16:30
Location: Marsella, Burdeos & Estrasburgo

Modeling The Impact of Biomedical Interventions to Break the Cycle of HIV Transmission
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Community Engagement in HIV Biomedical Prevention Research: Use of Mobile Technologies and the Asset Based Community Development Approach
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Wednesday, 24 October

Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Online Training Course: Evaluations and progress over four years
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Planning for Dapivirine Ring Introduction: Summarizing Lessons Learned from Like-Product Experiences
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Risk Assessment Tools and the Identification of Individuals at High-Risk of HIV infection in the Delivery of Oral PrEP
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Should Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Become a Trial Standard? A Report from the First Global GPP Think Tank
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Civil Society Role in HIV Vaccine Research: A Report from the Vaccine Advocacy Resource Group (VARG)
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

HIV Prevention Research & Development Funding Trends 2016-2017: Investing to End the Epidemic as a Public Health Threat
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Delivering PrEP: Lessons From Early Demonstration Projects
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Understanding HIV prevention from the perspective of adolescent girls & young women by applying behavioral economics & human centered design
Time: 17:30-19:30
Location: Poster Hall
Download the poster here.

Thursday, 25 October

Opinion 360: Meaningful Engagement From Research to Roll Out (oral abstract)
Session chaired by AVAC’s Manju Chatani-Gada and IAVI’s Kundai Chinyenze
Time: 8:30-10:00
Location: Oxford

Putting It Together: Strategies to End the Epidemic (closing plenary)
Implementing a Multi-disciplinary Prevention Revolution
Time: 15:00-16:30
Location: Auditorium

Advocates’ Corner

The Advocates’ Corner is a space where delegates representing community, advocacy, civil society and allies can exchange ideas, network, build solidarity, relax and socialize. View the Advocates’ Corner schedule.

In addition to the material displays and opportunities for informal networking, the Advocates’ Corner played host to a program of activities including tea breaks and lunchtime discussions with advocates, researchers and policy makers on a variety of scientific and community issues. Sessions included a series of dialogues to discuss key issues in the field, discussions with researchers about trials and new data, networking for advocates, social media training and more.

scene from the Advocates’ Corner

Avac Event

Whose Choice is it Anyway?

On Monday, October 1st, IRMA and AVAC led a lively discussion on the BRAND NEW IRMA report titled: Whose Choice is it Anyway? Analysis of Comments to and Responses from NIH’s 2017 “Refining the Research Enterprise” Request for Input on Research Priorities. (How’s that for the longest report title in the world?)

Click here to read the new report Whose Choice is it Anyway?

As everyone in the field is aware, the NIH conducted an input process last year that concluded with a release of new HIV prevention research priorities that favor long acting, systemic formulations (like vaccines, implants and injectables) and negate the need for short acting, user-controlled, non-systemic approaches (like vaginal and rectal microbicides).

IRMA was curious about the input that was collected—did most scientists, advocates, and other stakeholders indeed prioritize long acting, systemic formulations, showing little to no interest in other approaches like microbicides?

We asked NIH to see the input that came in, and what their responses were – and they declined to provide that information. So IRMA’s home organization, AIDS Foundation of Chicago, filed a Freedom of Information Act request. And we received over 300 pages of input to NIH, as well as responses to the input from NIH leadership.

IRMA’s Marc-André LeBlanc and Jim Pickett shared the key findings from the analysis of those 300+ pages as presented in the report. They will outlined next steps we can take collectively to help claim and ensure space in the research agenda for HIV prevention options that advocates and researchers want —options that can be used on demand, when, where and how individuals desire.

Special guests from the advocacy community, Irene Hware, Sinazo Peter and Ntando Yola, were invited to make remarks.

Recording: YouTube / Audio / Slides

Avac Event

Breaking the Cycle of Transmission: Understanding effective HIV prevention among adolescent girls and young women in South Africa

On Tuesday, 27 November 2018, 8-10am EST (3-5pm SAST) there was a webinar that provided an update on an exciting human-centred design project focused on better understanding and designing HIV prevention programs for adolescent girls and young women in South Africa.

Through the HIV Prevention Market Manager Project funded by the by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, AVAC is working with two innovative design groups – Final Mile and Upstream – to apply behavioural economics and human-centred design to better reach young women in South Africa with effective HIV prevention. The HIV Prevention Market Manager Project is also mapping completed, ongoing and planned AGYW work and compiling end user resources.

During the webinar, we presented and discussed the initial qualitative research findings from the project, looking at individual barriers and drivers as well as social and structural factors that influence the decisions and behaviours of young women along their sexual and reproductive health journey. The webinar explored possible implications of the emerging insights and outlined next steps in the project. In addition to presentations, there was a moderated Q&A and discussion.

Recording: YouTube / Audio / Slides

Avac Event

CROI 2019

The annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) will take place March 4-7 in Seattle, Washington. Read on to review the coverage, access webcasts of conference sessions and to check out what caught AVAC’s attention.

Program Agenda
The full program conference agenda is available.

Community Reception
Join us and a number of partners for dinner and drinks at our annual CROI community reception! We’ll be at the Tap House on Tuesday, March 5 at 6:15pm. Flyer available.

CROI 2019 Press Conferences
CROI press conferences may be viewed live via Zoom video conferences or over the phone. Click here for full details on what’s available and how to access these conferences.

Follow Along From Close and Afar
aidsmap will have full coverage of the conference. And, as always, look for real-time updates from AVAC’s Twitter feed.

Avac Event

9th SA AIDS Conference 2019

The 9th SA AIDS Conference will take place 11-14 June 2019 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) in Durban, South Africa. The theme for this year’s conference is Unprecedented Innovations and Technologies: HIV and change and will focus on unprecedented scientific, social and digital innovations/technologies which could expand possibilities and opportunities towards controlling the HIV & AIDS epidemic. This conference is the second largest HIV conference in the world, attended by over 3,000 people, 25 percent of which are from countries other than South Africa. Delegates include scientists, medical practitioners and representatives from the public sector, NGO and faith-based sectors and the corporate sector.

Avac Event

Webinar — How to Measure Success: Improving our national HIV prevention indicators

The first goal of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy (NHAS) is to “reduce new infections.” In order to monitor progress toward this goal, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Office of National AIDS Policy will be looking at three chosen “indicators” leading up to 2020:

  • Increase the percentage of people living with HIV who know their serostatus to at least 90 percent.
  • Reduce the number of new diagnoses by at least 25 percent.
  • Reduce the percentage of young gay and bisexual men who have engaged in HIV-risk behaviors by at least 10 percent.

Some national HIV prevention advocates question if these are the right national indicators to monitor progress on reducing new infections. In 2015, the CDC and Office of National AIDS Policy changed the way in which we monitor progress toward this goal by switching from incidence estimates to using new diagnoses. Are diagnoses really measuring the number of people being infected each year? Should changing sexual behavior still be a primary indicator in NHAS? Where is PrEP? What about more structural indicators?

Join Treatment Action Group and HIV PJA for an online discussion about other possibilities for monitoring progress and what community advocates and other key stakeholders need to know about how we measure success in our national HIV prevention efforts.

Register here.

Panelists include:

  • Keri N Althoff, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
  • Denis Nash, PhD, MPH, City University of New York (CUNY); Executive Director, CUNY Institute for Implementation Science in Population Health (ISPH); Professor of Epidemiology, CUNY School of Public Health
  • Stefan Baral, Associate Professor, Department of Epidemiology, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health