Sidaction and Aidsfonds have once again joined forces to advance HIV cure research, announcing funding for four new interdisciplinary projects focused on understanding viral persistence, ethical challenges in clinical research, and innovative therapeutic approaches. This initiative follows a joint 2025 call for proposals, reinforcing both organizations’ commitment to scientific progress and public health.
The first project, led by Eugenia Basyuk at the University of Bordeaux, investigates the mechanisms regulating HIV genome activation in latently infected cells. By comparing HIV-1 and HIV-2, the team aims to understand how transcriptional fluctuations influence viral reactivation and reservoir evolution, providing insights critical for developing functional cure strategies.
John B.F. de Wit’s AURORA project at Amsterdam University Medical Center addresses the social and ethical aspects of HIV cure trials in Africa. It develops a tool to assess participants’ perceptions, expectations, and concerns, enhancing informed consent, study acceptability, and ethical trial conduct. The project also contributes to local capacity building and harmonization of international research practices.
Mark Killick from the University of the Witwatersrand is leading an innovative approach to generate HIV-specific CAR-T cells directly in vivo using lipid nanoparticles. These cells target infected CD4 T cells in lymphoid tissues, aiming to reduce viral reservoirs and potentially decrease the reliance on lifelong antiretroviral therapy while assessing feasibility, safety, and efficacy in experimental models.
The fourth project, led by Judie Magura at the Africa Health Research Institute, studies immune responses following administration of broadly neutralising antibodies (bnAbs) in women who achieved durable viral control. By analyzing B cell dynamics and humoral responses from clinical trial samples, the team seeks to identify immune markers associated with post-treatment control to inform future therapeutic strategies.
This €2 million initiative brings together researchers from France, the Netherlands, and multiple African countries, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and partnerships with affected communities. By supporting both scientific innovation and community engagement, Sidaction and Aidsfonds aim to advance global HIV research and demonstrate the power of international cooperation in addressing pressing health challenges.
