Avac Event

MTN 2015 Annual Meeting

The MTN 2015 Annual Meeting was held at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel & Conference Center; 5701 Marinelli Road, North Bethesda, MD 20852. The meeting dates were from March 13, 2015 through March 18, 2015. 

Avac Event

MTN-017: Evolution and Implementation

IRMA, AVAC and the Microbicide Trials Network (MTN) provided an update on the Phase II safety and acceptability study MTN 017 (now closed to accrual) and looked at potential future directions for rectal microbicide research. MTN’s Dr. Ross Cranston, Protocol Chair for MTN-017, walked participants through the evolution and implementation of 017 – the world’s first-ever Phase II rectal microbicide trial. Next, Dr. Ian McGowan, Co-Principal Investigator of the MTN discussed ideas and directions for what the rectal future may hold in terms of advanced stage trial design and planning.

Avac Event

Global launch of the G-FINDER 2014 Reproductive Health report

Report co-author, Dr Mary Moran, and international key commentators discussed the report’s findings and health funding decisions for the future. The first G-FINDER Reproductive Health survey reported 2013 global investment into research and development (R&D) for new reproductive health products for developing countries. It covered investment for post-partum haemorrhage, contraceptives, non-HIV STIs, multipurpose prevention technologies and platform technologies. The G-FINDER Reproductive Health survey is conducted by the independent research group Policy Cures and is funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. For more information regarding G-FINDER and Policy Cures, visit www.policycures.org or contact [email protected].

Avac Event

NY PrEP Update – What You Need To Know in 2015

Heard about PrEP & Truvada? Not sure if it’s right for you? Not sure how to get it with or without insurance? Let’s clear up some rumors and get the facts! Our panel of experts brought people up to speed on the latest information, facts, controversies, and answered burning questions.

Avac Event

Unshrouding the “Veil of Silence”

One year after the anti-gay bill was passed in Nigeria, the Nigerian LGBT Community in New York City organized an event to facilitate conversation on the issues surrounding the community, the detailed effects of the law, and so much more. A private screening of the documentary VEIL OF SILENCE, and a panel discussion with prestigious representatives from international LGBT movements, government and health sectors was held.

The event was co-sponsored by Arcus Foundation and Housing Works. Hosted by GMHC. Supported by IGLHRC, Heartland Alliance, NYC Department of Health, Immigration Equality, ACT Up and AVAC.

Use hashtag #VeilOfSilence.

For more information, click here.

Avac Event

NBLCA State of HIV in Black America

Hosted by the National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc., in recognition of National African American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, as a community forum engaged discussion on the Intersection of Health, Education & Community in the fight to End AIDS.

Avac Event

The Future of PrEP Shots and Potent Treatment: An Advocate’s Guide to Long-Acting ARV Injectables

This was the third webinar in AVAC’s Research & Reality series, a year-long dialogue about prevention research and advocacy. The call provided a forum to learn about and discuss recent data and ongoing research on long-acting ARV injectables.

The term long-acting ARV injectables refers to an antiretroviral drug that is delivered via an injection and persists in the body for an extended period of time. These drugs are being developed to provide therapeutic levels of ARVs (to effectively control HIV as part of combination therapy) for HIV-positive people and protective levels (to reduce the risk of HIV infection) in HIV-negative people for weeks or months at a time.

View the full webinar here.

Avac Event

Women and HIV Prevention Research: Designing, testing and marketing products to improve adherence

The fourth webinar in AVAC’s Research & Reality series, a year-long dialogue about prevention research and advocacy, this call provided a forum to learn about and discuss key issues around women and the HIV prevention agenda, including challenges around marketing of and adherence to new prevention options.

View the full webinar here.

Avac Event

Breakthroughs and Big Questions: Webinar on AIDS vaccine research in 2014

This webinar, which coincided with observances of HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18th) provided an update on follow-on trials that build on the positive findings from the RV144 Thai trial; what looks hopeful in early clinical and pre-clinical science; and why the field has increasing optimism about finding effective HIV-specific antibodies, the “holy grail” of anti-HIV immune responses. As always, your comments and questions help guide the discussion.

View the full webinar here.

Avac Event

Unpacking the New CDC Guidelines on PrEP for HIV Prevention

On May 14, the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the US Public Health Service released new clinical guidelines on using daily oral TDF/FTC (also known as Truvada) as PrEP for HIV prevention. This type of guideline is used by the US government to set national norms for health providers. It is the first such national guideline issued anywhere for PrEP use. Representatives from the CDC provided an overview of the guidelines and answer questions about their content and implications. This was followed by a moderated discussion.

Watch the full webinar here.