Page 91 - SAMRC Annual Report 2024-2025

PERFORMANCE INFORMATION

University of Limpopo visit to HIDRU at the KZN offices.

Key Milestones and Achievements HIV. This trial also explores reducing viral reservoirs
in infants with HIV, advancing paediatric HIV
During the 2024-2025 financial year, HIDRU achieved
significant milestones in HIV prevention research, research. These achievements underscore HIDRU's
global collaborations, and capacity building. commitment to advancing HIV prevention and
paediatric research, contributing to global efforts in
A major achievement was HIDRU's involvement in tackling HIV in vulnerable populations.
the PURPOSE 1 trial, which evaluated twice-yearly
injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention in cisgender Building Capacity Through
women and adolescent girls. The Independent Training, Mentorship, and Support
Data Monitoring Committee (IDMC) recommended
stopping the blinded phase early due to 100% HIDRU has significantly contributed to capacity
efficacy, marking a landmark in HIV prevention. building by supporting both staff and community
HIDRU's five clinical trial sites contributed 13% of the members. In 2024, 43 staff received support for
study participants, emphasising its global research academic qualifications, including PhDs, master's
impact. degrees, and diplomas, along with funding for
workshops, conferences, and seed funding for Unit-
HIDRU also made strides in paediatric HIV prevention initiated research. A committee ensures equitable
through its work with the PedMAb Consortium, aiming distribution of support, helping foster professional
to reduce postnatal HIV transmission via breast milk growth.
in high-prevalence settings. In 2024, the consortium
achieved two key milestones: (i) completed the six In 2021, HIDRU recognised a need for mentoring
arms of the PedMAb1 trial, including dose escalation capacity development alongside the Individual
of two broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs) in Development Plan. A mentorship programme was
neonates; (ii) Administered two bNAbs simultaneously established with two arms: one to assist with short-
to HIV at-risk neonates for the first time worldwide. term goals (such as preparing a conference poster),
and one to assist with long-term goals, such as gaining
Additionally, HIDRU launched the SAMBULELO experience for a new position within the Unit. Thus far,
Phase 2 paediatric trial, evaluating the safety and 46 staff have made use of the short-term programme
pharmacokinetics of a single bNAb to prevent HIV in and 56 of the long-term programmes. In the first
newborns born to breastfeeding women living with 18 months of the programme, 15 staff were successful

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