LC: HIV PREVENTION TRIALS NETWORK

PROJECT SUMMARY With 20 years of experience and an outstanding record of performance, the HIV Prevention Trials Network (HPTN) Laboratory Center (LC) is optimally positioned to support the HPTN in 2020 and beyond. As part of the HPTN leadership group, the HPTN LC will help shape the network’s scientific agenda. The HPTN LC will oversee laboratory activities at study sites; perform Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) and specialized testing for HPTN protocols; evaluate and validate assays for use in HPTN studies; develop novel assays to achieve study objectives; and perform ancillary studies related to HIV prevention. The HPTN LC has an Administrative Core, a Protocol Operations Core, and five laboratory Cores (Virology, Pharmacology, Co-Infections, Toxicology, Immunology). The HPTN LC also has an Early Product Development Working Group and a working group for Point-of-Care Testing and Remote Technologies. The HPTN LC has extensive experience supporting HIV protocols in the United States (US), Latin America, Africa, and Asia, with recent work in Eastern Europe. The HPTN LC includes seven Protocol Specialists with >100 combined years of experience supporting HPTN studies. The HPTN LC has led efforts to harmonize laboratory procedures across other networks and groups, and collaborates extensively with academic, government, and industry partners. The HPTN LC has supported protocols evaluating biomedical, behavioral, and structural interventions for HIV prevention, often delivered in combination in a wide range of settings and venues. This includes vanguard studies, observational studies, and Phase 1, 2, and 3 clinical trials, with interventions delivered to HIV-uninfected individuals, HIV-infected individuals, couples, cohorts, and communities. HPTN study populations include adolescents, women, men who have sex with men, transgender women, persons who inject drugs, and other groups at risk, with some trials enrolling >40,000 participants. The HPTN LC has performed numerous studies under Investigational New Drug (IND) applications for the US Food and Drug Administration. The HPTN LC’s Quality Management Team includes a Regulatory Affairs Officer who will ensure compliance with institutional, state, federal, and other regulatory requirements. Under the new award, the HPTN will evaluate new products for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis, including new drugs, new drug delivery systems, multipurpose technologies, and broadly neutralizing antibodies; the HPTN will also perform integrated strategy studies that combine biomedical and socio-behavioral interventions for HIV prevention. The Specific Aims of the HPTN LC are: Aim 1: To provide leadership, expertise, and laboratory support to the HPTN; Aim 2: To support site laboratories and ensure the quality of HPTN laboratory results; and Aim 3: To advance HIV prevention science through assay development and biomedical research. A strong and effective HPTN LC is particularly important in the HPTN because of the vast international scope, diversity, and complexity of HIV prevention trials. This award will enable the HPTN to continue its mission to identify effective strategies for HIV prevention that will help end the HIV/AIDS epidemic.