The Aurum Institute

It’s a wrap from the #HIV4RP conference in Lima, Peru! Former International AIDS Society President Linda Gail Bekker urged delegates to go forth and prevent at the closing plenary on Thursday evening. Highlights of the final plenary included Prof Sharon Lewin providing an overview of emerging issues in HIV cure research. Lewin noted that as treatment and prevention methods continue to improve with long acting antiretrovirals, the bar for efficacy for an HIV vaccine and a cure is high. However, antiretrovirals alone will not see the end of the HIV epidemic. Fémina Perú Director Leyla Huerta 🇵🇪 called for increased trans women empowerment, rights and social inclusion, while UN Special Envoy on HIV and AIDS in eastern Europe and central Asia, Raminta Stuikyte 🇱🇹 discussed #HIV prevention implementation programmes for people who inject drugs and raised concerns over the low implementation of PrEP among this group.

During the #HIVR4P conference currently underway in Lima, Peru this week, Aurum Senior Scientist Dr Pholo Maenetje, PhD, MBA, presented a poster on efforts to enhance capacity in early HIV and pregnancy prevention product development research in East and Southern Africa. The MATRIX Collaborative project recommends addressing the significant gap in skilled professionals across the field with solutions that include mentorship, career development pathways, funding and collaborative partnerships. Clinical Research Division Managing Director Tanya Nielson shared findings from a baseline report on the high burden of sexually transmitted infections among adolescent girls and young women aged 15-24 years in Uganda, Zambia, and South Africa. According to the findings, there is an urgent need for targeted treatment and prevention strategies to effectively reduce these health risks. IAVI

Happy World Mental Health Day! 🌍💚 Today serves as a gentle reminder that mental health is just as crucial as physical health. It’s an opportunity to start conversations about the importance of mental health and advocate for its integration into all health services. By investing in evidence-based interventions, we can create a world where everyone has the chance to thrive. Let’s take action today for a healthier world for future generations. #WorldMentalHealthDay2024 Mental Health Foundation #MentalHealthMatters

Huge congratulations to AHRI director for implementation science, Prof Maryam Shahmanesh, for being awarded the International AIDS Society / The Aurum Institute Gita Ramjee Prize at the 2024 #HIVR4P Conference! The award recognises outstanding female scientists in HIV prevention research who embody the values championed by the late Prof Gita Ramjee — commitment to evidence-based research, support for disadvantaged communities, and a focus on gender transformation. Maryam won the best poster award for “Thetha nami ngithethe nawe: early findings of cRCT of peer-navigators mobilisation into mobile integrated sexual health and HIV services on uptake of HIV oral pre-exposure prophylaxis in rural South Africa.” Congrats also to Dr Elizabeth Irungu from Jhpiego in Kenya for winning the best oral abstract award for “PrEP choice for women in Africa: Uptake of oral PrEP and PrEP ring.”

Day 1 of the 7th Global Forum on TB Vaccines showcased several key highlights: The stark reality of TB was brought to the forefront, with approximately 1.3 million deaths each year underscoring the urgency for action. A strong call for commitment from global leaders was emphasised, urging increased funding to support vaccine research and development. Discussions revealed that many vaccine candidates fail, even in late-stage development, highlighting the need for sustained innovation and investment. The importance of ensuring that efficacious vaccines are readily available was stressed, requiring collaborative efforts from both public and philanthropic sectors. Participants advocated for inspiring bright young scientists to dedicate their careers to TB vaccine development, reinforcing the notion that ending TB is a shared responsibility. The forum marked 103 years since the first dose of the BCG vaccine, reminding us of our ongoing reliance on this historical intervention. Addressing vaccine misinformation, particularly among adolescents, emerged as a crucial area of focus to improve public understanding and acceptance. New innovative funding partnerships and mechanisms were deemed essential for advancing TB vaccine initiatives. The necessity of involving communities early in the research and development phase was highlighted to ensure efforts align with the needs of those most affected by TB. As we move forward, these insights and commitments will guide our discussions and actions in the days ahead. IAVI Ministério da Saúde REDE-TB - Rede Brasileira de Pesquisas em Tuberculose Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New TB Vaccines #7GFTBV #GlobalForumTBVaccines #TBVaccines

We are excited to announce the presentation of the IAS/Aurum Institute Gita Ramjee Prize at the 2024 #HIVR4P Conference in Peru, presented today by Aurum Group’s COO, Prof. Dave Clark, and Senior Marketing & Communications Director, Ms. Kanya Ndaki. The prize recognises leading female scientists in the field of HIV prevention research who follow the principles and practices that guided leading HIV researcher Prof. Gita Ramjee throughout her life and career. These include a commitment to evidence, disadvantaged communities and gender transformation. During the plenary session “New Tools: New Challenges,” the main prize was awarded to Ms. Elizabeth Irungu from Jhpiego in Kenya for her exceptional abstract, “PrEP Choice for Women in Africa: Uptake of Oral PrEP and PrEP Ring.” The prize for the best poster went to Prof. Maryam Shahmanesh from the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in South Africa for her remarkable work, “Thetha Nami ngithethe nawe: Early Findings of cRCT of Peer-Navigators Mobilisation into Mobile Integrated Sexual Health and HIV Services on Uptake of HIV Oral Pre-exposure Prophylaxis in Rural South Africa.” Learn more about the award by following this link: https://lnkd.in/dv697igq #HIVR4P2024 #GitaRamjeePrize International AIDS Society #HIVPrevention

The Global Forum on TB Vaccine is the world’s largest gathering of stakeholders striving to develop new vaccines to prevent TB. It provides a unique opportunity to review the state of the field, share the latest research and findings, and identify new and innovative approaches to TB vaccine R&D. Aurum Group Chief Executive Officer Prof. Gavin Churchyard will be attending and presenting at the event. Join him as he discusses the implications of subclinical TB in developing TB vaccines.

Join Dr Vaneshree Govender today at #7GFTBV for her poster presentation on a cost-effective pre-screening protocol for identifying HIV and TB infection. This innovative approach aims to streamline screening for TB vaccine trials in Gauteng, South Africa. IAVI Ministério da Saúde REDE-TB - Rede Brasileira de Pesquisas em Tuberculose Stop TB Partnership Working Group on New TB Vaccines

Happening today! We’re excited to share the news about the IAS/Aurum Institute Gita Ramjee Prize presentation at the 2024 #HIVR4P Conference. This prestigious award honors the outstanding achievements of female scientists in HIV prevention research, while celebrating the enduring legacy of the late Gita Ramjee—a true trailblazer in the field. Prof. Ramjee’s principles, rooted in evidence-based research, advocacy for underserved communities, and a commitment to gender transformation, continue to inspire a new wave of researchers determined to accelerate efforts to end HIV. Stay tuned!

Aurum Senior Programme Manager Heeran Makkan joined a panel at the #HIVR4P conference in Lima Peru this morning for a thought-provoking discussion on the unique challenges and opportunities in engaging populations most impacted by HIV in HIV prevention research efforts. The panelists unpacked how socio-behavioural research (SBR) can help us understand perspectives from communities, develop appropriate messaging interventions, and create communication that resonates with broad target audiences and tailored to specific audiences. The reality, however is that hierachies of evidence and power dynamics make it difficult to conduct this type of research. The Aurum Institute and IAVI demonstrated how interdisciplinary collaboration between SBR & biomedical science could be achieved during the session. Yvonne Wangũi Machira Anja van der Westhuizen Ken Ondeng'e