NEWS RELEASE II 2022 AIDS Conference Canada, Montreal

Journal of the International AIDS Society publishes special issue on investigation of new HIV drugs in pregnancy

30 July 2022 (Montreal, Canada) – The Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) has launched a special issue, titled “Approaches to enhance and accelerate investigation of new HIV drugs in pregnancy”, at AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference.   The content of the special issue has been guided by Guest Editors Elaine J Abrams (ICAP at Columbia University) and Martina Penazzato (World Health Organization). The special issue is funded by the World Health Organization.   As antiretroviral therapy (ART) and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) are increasingly scaled up globally, a large number of people receiving antiretrovirals (ARVs) for treatment or prevention are of reproductive age and could become pregnant while on ART. However, therapeutics are rarely investigated in pregnant people, leaving women and their providers to deal with uncertainty around the effectiveness and safety of various medications for themselves and their babies. Multiple agencies and actors have voiced their concerns about the exclusion of pregnant women from clinical trials and the associated harms and risks of these policies. A conceptual shift is required to ensure that pregnant people have equal access to medical innovation in HIV treatment and prevention. The collection of articles in this special issue argues for the need to reframe the current approach: From pregnant women as a vulnerable population to a complex population From protection from research to protection through research From presumptive exclusion to fair inclusion Timely investigation of novel agents requires earlier completion of pre-clinical studies and better support for people who become pregnant during the conducting of studies of new agents and want to continue to receive the study drug. As the articles in this supplement discuss, pharmacokinetics and early safety data should be generated before market authorization, and dedicated studies to fully explore maternal and infant outcomes should be initiated for priority products with anticipated broad use. Taken together, the principles and approaches discussed in this supplement chart a path to enable pregnant and breastfeeding people to be included early in registrational studies. Innovations discussed in the articles have the potential to disrupt the status quo and transform the way we include pregnant people in HIV drug research. Accelerating the introduction of new ARVs for this population and allowing for better regimen harmonization across populations will, in turn, improve ART and PrEP scale-up efforts.   Access the special issue here: https://bit.ly/JIAS_Pregnancy   The Journal of the International AIDS Society (JIAS) is the official peer-reviewed journal of the IAS. Founded in 2004, it is an open-access, PubMed- and Medline-indexed journal. JIAS articles are published online on an article-by-article basis. The journal’s primary purpose is to provide an open-access platform for the generation and dissemination of evidence from a wide range of HIV-related disciplines, encouraging research from low- and middle-income countries. In addition, JIAS aims to strengthen capacity and empower less-experienced researchers from resource-limited countries. For more information, visit www.jiasociety.org.  IAS – the International AIDS Society – convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being. After the emergence of HIV and AIDS, concerned scientists created the IAS to bring together experts from across the world and disciplines to promote a concerted HIV response.   Today, the IAS and its members unite scientists, policy makers and activists to galvanize the scientific response, build global solidarity and enhance human dignity for all those living with and affected by HIV.   The International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference.  For more information, visit www.iasociety.org.

Mayor Tanjong Launch Phase II Strategic Development Plan on How to Manage and Recycle Waste in Tubah Municipality

That was in the conference hall of Icham Hotel in Bambili on the 29^th of July 2022 in the Presence of the DO of Tubah Metougue, who represented the SDO of Mezam Emile Moh, the Four Fons of Tubah and the Lamido of Sabga, all service Heads, religious authorities, Councilors and Tubah Council workers.

Phase II of the Tubah Council strategic development program comes against the back drop of the increasing need to beef up hygiene and sanitation in the Municipality as population increase or explode with the student population that is on the rise daily at the University of Bamenda.

Disposing of these garbage of late has and continues to pose as a serious problem and health damage not to talk of pollution which is what pushed the Tubah Council to go on all fronts to mobilize, source for funds and partner with Ministries to  combat.

Friday the 29^th of July 2022 gave the Mayor of Tubah Council Tanjong Martin the singular opportunity to explain and show case what the Council has done since 2013 as a passion to combat refuse, what the Council is doing and what the Council is embarking on seriously to completely sweep dirtiness out of Tubah and Make the Municipality garbage and pungy smell free.

On the occasion, a litany of equipments, heavy duty machines and waste collection, disposal cans, the operation team was presented to the officials and public.

With strict orders and firm instructions on how to go about the mobilization and clean up campaign from each household to the quarter from the offices to the streets and why not the suburbs.

In the program as projected in the conference center, waste recycling and management, tree planting was also a subject matter which the Tubah Council is trashing. At the moment over 50000 trees has been planted by the Tubah Council for the past 9 years and they are running a pavement bricks fabrication company, made out of collected plastic materials and containers.

The Mayor of Tubah speaking to the Press after the three phase occasion, to media men and women observed, that the mission or theme of the strategic action development plan to keep Tubah Clean is “How to Manage Waste in Tubah and Make Our Lives Better” through mobilized efforts and redefine actions and approach to waste management. To end, he exhorted the officials and population of Tubah to accompany the Council in their campaign or mission to keep Tubah Municipality completely and perfectly clean.

The DO of Tubah, Metougue on his part, closing the ceremony, thanked the Mayor for taking such a bold step and for acquiring all the materials in place. Pleading on all present to join hands with the Council to see such an effort come to pass veritably and concretely.

The efforts of the Council, call it engagement or commitment, this Reporter must emphasize is laudable and pace setting to other Mayors all around the Country who are lacking and still to take pains off to join the ban wagon of those promoting hygiene and sanitation through proper waste management, the fight against pollution and nature protection through mass tree planting.

People all Comprised Around the World, Gather Today at Montreal Canada for the 2022 World AIDS Conference

 

This year’s conference, which is to start in some few hours is placed on theme “Re-engage and Follow Science”.

The 24th conference promises to include reports on the latest science and studies on HIV criminalization, pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), coinfections, monkeypox, DoxyPEP, and HIV cure case.

As we report the stage is set as all active participants, delegates and delegations from around the world are all gathered to discuss health and chart millennium development goals that can only be fostered and strengthened with adequate health policies and appropriate solutions to tackle pressing global health issues which begins and ends with AIDS.

Actors and all stake holders at the end of the 4 days conference are expected to carry home messages and knowledge that will contribute to control the rate of infection and sustain lives.

The Media as we report are equally mobilized to that effect. As above a 1000 Media houses around the world have been accredited to cover and filter out on daily bases what participants will be carrying out or arriving at as resolutions at the end of the 24^th AIDS international conference starting today the 29^th of July 2022, to end on the 2^nd of August 2022.

Momentum Builds to Deliver Long-Acting PrEP for HIV PreventionMomentum Builds to Deliver Long-Acting PrEP for HIV Prevention

 

Press Release II 28 JULY 2022 AIDS International Conference Canada 

New research, WHO guidelines, voluntary licensing agreement and global coalition announced at AIDS 2022

 

28 July 2022 (Montreal, Canada) – A series of announcements today ahead of AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference – including late-breaking study results, new WHO guidelines, a major voluntary licensing agreement and a new global coalition – built momentum for global access to long-acting cabotegravir (CAB-LA) as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) for HIV prevention.   Oral PrEP was first approved by the US Food and Drug Administration a decade ago, but uptake and adherence have been limited, partly because some people have difficulty taking daily pills. In recent years, studies have shown that CAB-LA, administered by injection once every two months, is a safe and effective alternative to oral PrEP. CAB-LA is approved for PrEP only in the US, but its maker, ViiV Healthcare, has submitted marketing applications in additional countries.   “Long-acting PrEP could play a major role in ending the HIV pandemic, but right now, very few people can get it,” Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President of conference host IAS – the International AIDS Society – and International Co-Chair of AIDS 2022, said. “Scaling up affordable access to this game-changing prevention tool must be a top global priority.”   At today’s press conference, researchers presented new data confirming that CAB-LA is safe and effective for PrEP in trans and cisgender women, WHO released its first guidelines for CAB-LA for PrEP, ViiV Healthcare and the Medicines Patent Pool announced that they have signed a voluntary licensing agreement for patents relating to CAB-LA for PrEP. Finally, WHO, Unitaid, UNAIDS and The Global Fund announced the launch of a global coalition to accelerate access to long-acting PrEP with AVAC as the secretariat. Analysis confirms CAB-LA is highly effective for PrEP in trans women; findings suggest gender-affirming hormonal therapy does not impact CAB concentrations Researchers announced that the first trans-specific analysis of data from the landmark HPTN 083 study confirms that CAB-LA is a safe and highly effective HIV prevention option for trans women. HPTN 083 is a Phase 3 study comparing CAB-LA to daily oral TDF/FTC for HIV prevention in cisgender men and trans women who have sex with men. In 2020, researchers announced that HPTN 083 had demonstrated a 66% reduced risk of HIV acquisition for CAB-LA compared to TDF/FTC. The new analysis, which will be presented at AIDS 2022 by Beatriz Grinsztejn of the Evandro Chagas National Institute of Infectious Diseases – Fiocruz (Brazil), reports on the safety, prevention efficacy and pharmacokinetics of CAB-LA in trans women during the blinded phase of HPTN 083. Of 4,566 study participants, 570 (12.5%) were trans women, 330 (57.9%) of whom reported use of gender-affirming hormonal therapy. HIV incidence among trans women was lower in the CAB-LA group (0.54%) than in the TDF/FTC group (1.80%). CAB-LA was well tolerated in trans women and, importantly, initial findings suggest there is no impact of gender-affirming hormonal therapy on CAB concentrations. [Summary is based on abstract; final data presented at the conference may change.] CAB-LA continues to be superior to TDF/FTC for PrEP in cisgender women New data from the HPTN 084 study shows that among individuals assigned female at birth, CAB-LA continues to be superior to daily oral TDF/FTC in preventing HIV infection. HPTN 084 is an ongoing Phase 3 randomized controlled trial of CAB-LA for PrEP in individuals assigned female at birth. In late 2020, a planned interim review found that CAB-LA was superior to daily oral TDF/FTC for HIV prevention in this population. The blinded portion of the trial was then stopped; participants were subsequently unblinded and continued on their original randomized study regimen pending a protocol amendment to offer open-label CAB-LA. This update, to be presented at AIDS 2022 by Sinead Delany-Moretlwe of the University of the Witwatersrand (South Africa), reports that 23 incident infections (3 CAB-LA, 20 TDF/FTC) were detected in the 12-month unblinded period. Of these, two (1 CAB-LA, 1 TDF/FTC) occurred during the blinded phase, and only one of the CAB-LA cases had ever received an injection. Cumulatively, 62 incident HIV infections (6 CAB, 56 TDF/FTC) have been observed over 6,626 person-years of follow up (HIV incidence 0.94%). In addition, no new safety concerns were identified. [Summary is based on abstract; final data presented at the conference may change.] [For more information, see the HPTN 084 news release] New WHO guidelines recommend CAB-LA for HIV prevention Also at today’s press conference, WHO released new guidelines for the use of CAB-LA as PrEP for HIV and called for countries to consider this safe and highly effective prevention option for people at substantial risk of HIV infection. The guidelines will support countries as they plan for CAB-LA introduction and facilitate urgently needed operational research. [See press release from WHO for additional information] “Long-acting cabotegravir is a safe and highly effective HIV prevention tool, but isn’t yet available outside study settings,” Meg Doherty, Director of WHO’s Global HIV, Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections Programmes, said. “We hope these new guidelines will help accelerate country efforts to start to plan and deliver CAB-LA alongside other HIV prevention options, including oral PrEP and the dapivirine vaginal ring.” ViiV Healthcare and the Medicines Patent Pool sign voluntary licensing agreement to expand access to CAB-LA for PrEP Also today, ViiV Healthcare and the Medicines Patent Pool (MPP) announced that they have signed a voluntary licensing agreement for patents relating to CAB-LA for HIV PrEP to help enable access in least developed, low-income, lower-middle-income and sub-Saharan African countries. Through this agreement, selected generic manufacturers will have the opportunity to develop, manufacture and supply generic versions of CAB-LA for PrEP in 90 countries, subject to required regulatory approvals. ViiV Healthcare and MPP will now work closely with stakeholders and selected generic manufacturers to enable access to generic CAB-LA for PrEP as soon as possible. “We are delighted to sign this voluntary licence with ViiV for cabotegravir LA for PrEP,” Charles Gore, MPP Executive Director, said. “Long-acting technologies open up a whole new dimension that facilitates medicine uptake, and this product brings a much-needed option for those at risk. This licence was negotiated in double-quick time and is another example of MPP’s continued commitment to making innovation available and affordable in low- and middle-income countries in the shortest possible time. Rapid access to new technologies is our only hope of hitting the Sustainable Development Goal targets.” “Today’s announcement represents a potentially game-changing moment in HIV prevention,” Deborah Waterhouse, CEO at ViiV Healthcare, said. “Enabling at-scale access to generic cabotegravir LA for PrEP could play a significant role in averting the transmission of HIV, particularly amongst women and adolescent girls, and help end the HIV epidemic. I am proud that through our long-standing partnership with MPP, we continue to play our part in widening access for people in resource-limited countries to new innovative medicines.” [See press release from Medicines Patent Pool here] Global coalition launched to accelerate access to long-acting PrEP Today also marked the launch of the new Coalition to Accelerate Access to Long-Acting PrEP. Convened by WHO, Unitaid, UNAIDS and The Global Fund, and with AVAC as the secretariat, the coalition will coordinate key stakeholder activities on PrEP access, including jointly developing strategies to identify and overcome access challenges for new PrEP options in the near to medium term (especially related to ViiV’s injectable CAB, including generics) and the medium to longer term (related to future PrEP products). “New HIV prevention options now reaching the market, such as injectable cabotegravir, hold the promise to transform HIV prevention,” Tenu Avafia, Deputy Executive Director of Unitaid, said. “But we must move far more quickly than we did with oral PrEP if we are to have real impact on the epidemic. This new coalition being formed will prioritize the acceleration of affordable, equitable and widespread access to injectable long-acting cabotegravir for PrEP without delay. Community response "Afrocab and our community partners are excited about today’s announcement,” Jacque Wambui, Global CAB facilitator at Afrocab, said. “Since we began mobilizing community partners around the world almost six months ago, we have been encouraged to see the responsiveness and engagement from global partners that have made this announcement possible. "However, we recognize this is just the first step on this path for long-acting cabotegravir for PrEP. Speedy technology transfer and low-cost pricing have still not been secured. Until then, the promise of accessible, affordable CAB-LA will not be realized. Afrocab and our community partners will continue to advocate around these issues until they are resolved."

IAC – the International AIDS Conference – is the premier global platform to advance the HIV response. As the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS, it sits uniquely at the intersection of science, advocacy and human rights, bringing together scientists, policy makers, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, funders, media and community. Since its start in 1985, the conference continues to serve as an opportunity to strengthen policies and programmes that ensure an evidence-based response to HIV and related epidemics.

The 24th International AIDS Conference – known as AIDS 2022 – will be hosted in Montreal, Canada, and virtually from 29 July to 2 August 2022.

For more information, visit www.aids2022.org. 

IAS – the International AIDS Society – convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being. After the emergence of HIV and AIDS, concerned scientists created the IAS to bring together experts from across the world and disciplines to promote a concerted HIV response

Today, the IAS and its members unite scientists, policy makers and activists to galvanize the scientific response, build global solidarity and enhance human dignity for all those living with and affected by HIV.

The IAS also hosts the world’s most prestigious HIV conferences: the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference. 

For more information, visit www.iasociety.org.

 

Press Release Ahead of 2022 International AIDS Conference; IAS statement on “In Danger: UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2022”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 27 JULY 2022  IAS statement on “In Danger: UNAIDS Global AIDS Update 2022” The Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) launched its annual report on the state of the global HIV response today ahead of AIDS 2022, the 24th International AIDS Conference, in Montreal, Canada, at a live event also livestreamed at www.unaids.org.  “We cannot afford to lose more ground in the global response to HIV. Seventy percent of new HIV infections in 2021 occurred among key populations, which illustrates that the most marginalized are also the hardest hit,” Adeeba Kamarulzaman, President of the IAS – the International AIDS Society – and AIDS 2022 International Co-Chair, said. “We urgently need to make resources available, close research gaps, and eliminate the stigma that still pervades thinking. Most crucially, we must ensure that scientists, policy makers and activists come together to achieve progress. It’s time to re-engage and follow the science.” IAC – the International AIDS Conference – is the premier global platform to advance the HIV response. As the world’s largest conference on HIV and AIDS, it sits uniquely at the intersection of science, advocacy and human rights, bringing together scientists, policy makers, healthcare professionals, people living with HIV, funders, media and community. Since its start in 1985, the conference continues to serve as an opportunity to strengthen policies and programmes that ensure an evidence-based response to HIV and related epidemics. The 24th International AIDS Conference – known as AIDS 2022 – will be hosted in Montreal, Canada, and virtually from 29 July to 2 August 2022. For more information, visit www.aids2022.org.  IAS – the International AIDS Society – convenes, educates and advocates for a world in which HIV no longer presents a threat to public health and individual well-being. After the emergence of HIV and AIDS, concerned scientists created the IAS to bring together experts from across the world and disciplines to promote a concerted HIV response Today, the IAS and its members unite scientists, policy makers and activists to galvanize the scientific response, build global solidarity and enhance human dignity for all those living with and affected by HIV. The IAS also hosts the world’s most prestigious HIV conferences: the International AIDS Conference, the IAS Conference on HIV Science and the HIV Research for Prevention Conference.  For more information, visit www.iasociety.org. Media contacts: Leila Darabi Email: leila.darabi@mboothhealth.com Michael Kessler Email: michael.kessler@intoon-media.com

France Cameroon Ties Reaffirmed on the Occasion of Macron's 2022 Maiden Tour in Africa

-Cameroon France to Revive Strategic Partnership

A new and promising chapter will soon open to deepen the strong and historic diplomatic relations that bind the Republic of Cameroon and the French Republic. This important development was disclosed on 26 July 2022 by Presidents Paul BIYA and Emmanuel MACRON in a joint press conference held in Yaounde.

Both leaders who met at Unity Palace, for the first time, exchanged views during a two-hour tête-à-tête where they agreed to revive and diversify their strategic partnership on key sectors such as agriculture, security in the Gulf of Guinea, industrial and infrastructural development, good governance, digital economy and education.

In his preliminary declaration, H.E. Paul BIYA revealed that they also touched on the global repercussions of the Russia – Ukraine conflict.

“President MACRON and I are of the opinion that everything must be done to achieve a rapid cessation of hostilities. For this to happen, the logic of confrontation must give way to that of conciliation and dialogue,” he emphasised.

The Cameroonian Head of State hailed the great quality and solidity of the long-standing cooperation ties that exist between Cameroon and France. He said their discussion has fortified the determination to work tirelessly for a more fruitful and mutually beneficial relationship.

H.E. Paul BIYA thanked President Emmanuel MACRON for the multifaceted support that France has offered – both in terms of security, particularly in the fight against terrorism, and in economic and financial terms.

On his part, President Emmanuel MACRON – who is on his first international tour to Africa since the start of his second mandate, said he will concentrate on the strengthening of bilateral ties between Yaounde and Paris. He explained that Cameroon is a strategic partner in the sub-region.

H.E. Emmanuel MACRON praised the path taken by the Government of Cameroon to fully implement the decentralisation process, which is considered as a real solution to the socio-political situation in the North-West and South-West Regions.

The French President also highlighted his admiration for young Cameroonians whose excellence and talent are a pride of the country. He promised to enlarge the scope of training programmes in order to help them harness their skills. He equally announced the putting in place of a committee comprised of historians from both countries that will have full access to French archives. This will help to establish the true nature of pre and post independence Cameroon.

Before his departure from the Unity Palace, President Emmanuel MACRON and his delegation were treated to a special luncheon offered by H.E. Paul BIYA and First Lady Chantal BIYA.

French President Emmanuel Macron Begins Official Visit to Cameroon Today

His Excellency Emmanuel MACRON has arrived in Cameroon. The French Head of State touched down at the Yaounde-Nsimalen International Airport on 25 July 2022 – few hours before midnight to start a landmark official visit – at the invitation of his Cameroonian counterpart, H.E. Paul BIYA. 

President Emmanuel MACRON was welcomed in full splendour and in strict respect of Cameroon’s legendary hospitality.

The friendly reception was characterised by the handing over of a special bouquet and the exchange of civilities with Prime Minister Joseph DION NGUTE, special representative of H.E. Paul BIYA, and French Ambassador Christophe GUILHOU at the foot of the plane. This was followed by military honours, the national anthems of both countries and a review of the troops by President Emmanuel MACRON. The visiting Head of State’s motorcade received cheers from jubilant crowds along the Nsimalen - Hilton Hotel itinerary.

Presidents Paul BIYA and Emmanuel MACRON will hold a joint press conference at Unity Palace on 26 July 2022. This will be preceded by a tête-à-tête discussion by both Heads of State – aimed at strengthening the historic and fraternal diplomatic ties that exist between Yaounde and Paris. Cameroonian and French ministers will also meet in a separate working session.

H.E. Emmanuel Macron and his delegation will be treated to a special luncheon offered by President Paul BIYA and First Lady Chantal BIYA.

President Emmanuel MACRON will visit the “Club Noah” where he is expected to share ideas on climate challenges and local participatory democracy with Cameroonian and French youths.

The French leader will equally spend some time with the French community at the Residence of France. The same venue will host an event on food security and the role of the private sector with a group of citizens from both countries.

This visit – the first by a French leader since 2015 – will be closely watched – locally and internationally – especially with the growing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the security crisis between Russia and Ukraine on the economies of Cameroon and France.