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AVAC Roundup: Must-See Resources from the Last Week 

From spotlighting the impact of US-supported HIV research to advancing the future of the HIV response; accelerating pediatric HIV cure research to shaping the global STI agenda, AVAC is driving and tracking the critical conversations defining HIV prevention and advocacy. Read on for this week’s resources and perspectives.

Opportunities, Controversies & Cruel Ironies

View the slides from AVAC Executive Director Mitchell Warren plenary presentation at SYNChronicity 2026.

Global Health Watch: Court Blocks ACIP Overhaul, NIH Director Promises to Disburse Funds, State Dept Pulls “America First” Health MoUs

A US federal court blocked the US Administration’s efforts to overhaul the CDC’s Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices, while the NIH Director sought to reassure lawmakers over funding delays and shifting research priorities. Meanwhile, the State Department quietly removed five “America First” health agreements from public access as scrutiny grows, and Argentina announced its intent to withdraw from the WHO.

The Power of bNAbs: A new frontier in HIV cure research

In this video, from the Series of Jojo, viewers are introduced to broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) and how they might one day be used in finding a functional cure for HIV.

EXPrESSIVE Phase III Program Countries of MK-8527

Seventeen countries are hosting sites for the Phase 3 efficacy trials of a monthly PrEP pill, MK-8527, being developed by Merck (also known as MSD outside of the US and Canada). Merck announced the launch of the Phase 3 trials at IAS 2025 in Kigali. MK-8527 was found to be safe and well-tolerated in Phase 2 clinical trials.

Launching STI Advocacy Hubs: National Agendas from Kenya, South Africa & Zimbabwe

The Benefits To Americans Of US-Supported International HIV Research

A new Health Affairs piece by Judith Auerbach, Jirair Ratevosian, and AVAC’s Mitchell Warren makes the case that cuts to US-supported global HIV research don’t just hurt partner countries. They undermine the scientific pipeline that delivers those advances to Americans most in need. As the Trump administration scales back global health investments, the US risks squandering decades of research returns just as they’re beginning to pay off.

HIV Prevention 2030: A Global Access Framework for Country-Led Responses dissemination webinar

Global Health Watch: France Cuts Global Fund, US Bilateral Health Platform, PEPFAR Timeline Uncertainty, New Lancet Africa Journal

This week, France sharply cut its contribution to the Global Fund, adding to the replenishment shortfall. Meanwhile, the US launched a new global health funding platform tied to bilateral agreements, even as delays in MoUs and shifting timelines continue uncertainty about service delivery. And the inaugural issue of The Lancet Regional Health – Africa launched to elevate African leadership in health research and policy.

Lenacapavir Implementation Studies

Ongoing and planned implementation studies for the lenacapavir as of March 2026.