AIDS Vaccine 2009 ▪ Paris, France ▪ 19-22 October

This year's AIDS Vaccine Conference—an annual gathering of researchers, funders and advocates to discuss the state of the field, new research discoveries and priorities for the year ahead—was held in Paris.

The results from RV 144 (the prime-boost vaccine efficacy trial in Thailand) were a major focus of the conference but additional presentations and plenary sessions highlighted the larger AIDS vaccine discovery effort that is continuing on multiple fronts including basic science, clinical research, non-human primate research and related disciplines. The Conference is a reminder of the scope and intensity of this effort—and of the urgent need to continue and build on the energy and excitement provided by the Thai result.

See below for links to and information on select sessions, including AVAC and partners’ pre-conference satellite session (Accelerating the Search: Addressing Critical Issues in AIDS Vaccine Research).
 
Access the library of conference webcasts and podcasts here.

2010 Scientific Strategic Plan of the Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise: An Opportunity for Feedback and Input
Monday, October 19, 2009
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Opening Session
(includes Jean-François Delfraissy, Alan Bernstein, Michel Kazatchkine, Michel Sidibé, Peter Piot, Mitchell Warren)
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Special Session: Recent Lessons from Clinical Trials
(includes updates on the Step and Phambili vaccine trials)
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Thai Trial Special Session
(includes details on additional results from the RV 144 trial)
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Accelerating the Search: Addressing Critical Issues in AIDS Vaccine Research
(pre-conference satellite session co-sponsored by AAVP, ANRS, AVAC, CHVI, EATG, Europrise, HVTN, Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise, IAVI, MHRP, UNAIDS, USAID, WHO)
Download the satellite session flyer

Recent results from AIDS vaccine trials and the complex issues that arise and influence subsequent trials and AIDS vaccine research and development in general highlight the many diverse audiences that need to be engaged in the entire R&D process. Each of these audiences has different perspectives and experiences with R&D.

This session provided a forum to discuss AIDS vaccine research and development and the role of multiple communities in sustaining AIDS vaccine R&D, and applying behavioral and social science in AIDS vaccine research.

Download Robin Shattock’s overview presentation, AIDS Vaccine Research: sustaining progress in a changing prevention landscape.

View AVAC's posters that were presented at the conference:
Advocates’ Perspectives on Community Engagement in the HVTN 505 Vaccine Trial. P15-15. AIDS Vaccine 2009. October 22, 2009. Bass, E.; Burnett, J.; Fisher, K.; Grant, D.; Hubbard, M., Warren, M.
In September of 2007, the Step trial of Merck’s Ad5 vaccine came suddenly and unexpectedly to a halt. The Step results brought an unprecedented dialogue between the trial sponsors and civil society. There was a high level of information and materials sharing and constructive dialogue about how to craft messages that were accurate and moved the field ahead. This also held true around preparations for the PAVE 100 trial. With the advent of HVTN 505, a gap between the broader community (advocacy groups working on and impacted by HIV prevention research) and the trial sponsors increased, which impeded community stakeholders from becoming involved. Despite efforts of the HVTN, CABs and the VRC to inform and involve community stakeholders, there have been gaps in understanding, involvement and acceptance of the 505 trial.

Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Guidelines Begin to Take Root. P15-24. AIDS Vaccine 2009. October 22, 2009. Miller, L.; Abbas, D; Costelloe-Kuehn, A.; Bass, E.; Warren, M.; Grant, D.; Feuer, C.; Fisher, K.
The Good Participatory Practice (GPP) Guidelines for biomedical HIV prevention trials were published by UNAIDS and AVAC in November, 2007. AVAC conducted a survey over two months in early 2009 to gauge biomedical HIV prevention stakeholder awareness and utilization of the GPP guidelines, attitudes around community engagement in biomedical HIV prevention trials, and to identify gaps in achieving appropriate community engagement.While awareness of the GPP guidelines is increasing, efforts must continue to orient stakeholders to their content and build support for their adoption by trial sponsors. Results from the survey indicate that although there is a high level of reported interest in community engagement across stakeholders, trial sites need more funds and support to appropriately implement the minimum elements of good participatory practice.

P15-21. Investigating the utility and relevance of the good participatory practice guidelines for biomedical HIV prevention trials. P222. AIDS Vaccine 2009. October 22, 2009. Miller, L.; Bass, E.; Warren, M.; Fisher, K.; Grant, D.; Feuer, C.
Since publication of the ''Good Participatory Practice Guidelines for biomedical HIV prevention trials'' guidelines, AVAC, together with 12 partner organizations, gathered data about their utilization, as well as stakeholder views of their appropriateness and usefulness. Data from 21 countries indicated support of the guidelines as well as recommendations for their implementation and improvement.There was widespread agreement that the GPP guidelines are vital as there was no previous normative agency guidance document to guide trial site sponsors and implementers on community engagement. Stakeholders included in the consultations recommend that trial sites be required to follow the GPP guidelines, much like with Good Clinical Practice. UNAIDS should formally notify trial sponsors, implementers and governments about the current version of the guidelines through its country offices. While the current version of the guidelines is being rolled out globally, AVAC and UNAIDS should convene a committee to revise the guidelines to make the document more useful.