The promise of bnAbs for infant post-natal prophylaxis to end paediatric HIV: the path forward
Chair
Shelly MALHOTRA, IAVI, United States
Moderator
Linda-Gail BEKKER
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, South Africa
Organizer
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Antiretroviral therapy for pregnant and lactating people living with HIV and antiretroviral therapy (ARV) prophylaxis for their infants have together resulted in dramatic decreases in peri- and post-natal HIV transmission. Still, an estimated 160,000 HIV infections in infants and young children occurred in 2021. Gaps in prevention strategies, especially during the breastfeeding period when roughly 50% of perinatal transmission occurs, have left infants vulnerable. As a discreet, safe, and long-acting intervention, broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) hold promise to contribute to closing the gaps in current strategies and reduce peri- and post-natal HIV transmission as an adjunct to, or in the place of, ARVs— supporting the elimination agenda. Importantly, because the doses required are significantly lower than adult doses, infant prophylaxis with bNAbs is likely cost-effective across a range of implementation scenarios in sub-Saharan Africa. In February 2023, 70 global experts convened in Cape Town, South Africa to reach a consensus and define an action plan for advancing bNAbs for peri- and post-natal prophylaxis. Join the IAS Global HIV Vaccine Enterprise and IAVI at this session to launch the takeaways from these proceedings.
15:00
2 min
Introduction
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, South Africa
15:02
10 min
Mother's voice on the urgency of preventing new HIV infections in infants
South African Medical Research Council(SAMRC), South Africa
15:12
15 min
State of the evidence: the role of bNAbs in infant post-natal prophylaxis (PNP)
University of Colorado, United States
15:27
30 min
Panel discussion
IAVI, Kenya
South African Medical Research Council, South Africa
Desmond Tutu Health Foundation, South Africa
South African Medical Research Council(SAMRC), South Africa
IAVI, United States
George Washington University, United States
Zimbabwe Medicines Control Agency, Zimbabwe
15:57
10 min
The path forward: accelerating the clinical development of bNAbs for an infant indication
IAVI, Kenya
16:07
20 min
Q&A
IAVI, United States
16:27
3 min
Closing
IAVI, United States