Page 89 - SAMRC AnnualReport 2025-26

P E R FOR M A NC E I N FOR M A T I ON

HIV and Other Infectious
Diseases Research Unit

UNIT DIRECTOR:
Prof. Catherine Orrell
catherine.orell@mrc.ac.za

Overview of the Research Unit sites contributed more than 10% of participants
enrolled in the PURPOSE 1 study (Gilead), which
The HIV and Other Infectious Diseases Research
Unit (HIDRU) is dedicated to reducing the burden of supported the registration in 2025 of Lenacapavir,
HIV, tuberculosis (TB), other infectious diseases, and the first six-monthly injectable HIV prevention agent.
related co-morbidities through high-impact research The Unit continues to lead globally significant research
that informs prevention, treatment, and service in prevention of mother-to-child transmission
delivery interventions.
(pMTCT) through the PedMAb consortium, while
Between 2025 and 2026, HIDRU achieved several also maintaining the world’s largest database of
notable milestones. Two clinical research sites were pregnant women with multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-
chosen to assess Africa’s first oral cholera vaccine, TB) and their infants. HIDRU’s prevention research
developed by the Biovac Institute, while four spans the broader South African population, with
sites were selected and began enrolment for the a strong focus on key and vulnerable populations,
landmark Phase III EXPRESSIVE trial (MERCK/MSD), including young women, pregnant women,
evaluating a new once-monthly oral HIV prevention newborns, and people living with HIV and TB. Its
tablet. In collaboration with the Biomedical Research mixed-methods research portfolio further explores
Innovation Platform, the Unit is also examining socio-behavioural and maternal, family, child health
the safety and tolerability of increasing doses of and nutrition (MFCHN) themes, including infant
AfriplexGRT, a green Rooibos extract, in a Phase I/ feeding practices among women living with HIV and
II clinical trial involving healthy participants. HIDRU drivers of repeat HIV testing.

Prof. Ntusi with students who participated at
the SAMRC Gen S job shadowing programme. SAMRC Botha's Hill Clinical Research Site.

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