amfAR Innovations May 2023

INNOVATIONS 10 15 MAY 2023 COVER STORY 15 New Krim Fellowship Awarded 16 A Shared Passion for HIV Cure A biannual publication of amfAR, 1 0–13 The Foundation for AIDS Research Research: Drs. Xu Yu and Mathias On the Leading Edge of Cure Research Lichterfeld 120 Wall Street, 13th Floor amfAR talks with Professor Sharon Lewin about New York, NY 10005-3908 refining the “shock and kill” approach to curing 18 Curing HIV: The Road Ahead T: (212) 806-1600 HIV, the potential of gene therapy, and expanding 19 Groundbreaking amfAR Grantee F: (212) 806-1601 research in the Asia-Pacific region. Dr. Nancy Chang Honored 1100 Vermont Ave. NW PEOPLE Suite 600 20 Laying the Foundation for AIDS Washington, DC 20005 4 Tony Mancilla T: (202) 331-8600 4 James Shackelford Research: The 40th Anniversary F: (202) 331-8606 5 Michelle Yeoh of AIDS Medical Foundation, amfAR’s Predecessor TREAT Asia POLICY Exchange Tower DONOR 388 Sukhumvit Road 6 Bringing Data to the Front Lines Suite 2104 7 A Dangerous Precedent: Tennessee 21 Eliot Glazer Klongtoey, Bangkok 10110 Thailand Rejects Federal Funds for HIV GLOBAL T: (+66) 2 663-7561 Prevention F: (+66) 2 663-7562 22 Improving Transgender Health in 8 Partners in Progress: amfAR Meets www.amfar.org Southeast Asia with PEPFAR Ambassador Innovations Staff: 2 2 HIV Care Continuum & Beyond: Andrew McInnes, Editor 9 Increasing Trans Inclusion in HIV/AIDS Chael Needle, Senior Staff Writer A New Era for Asia Raoul Norman-Tenazas, National Strategic Planning Creative Director 2 3 HIV and Youth in Thailand: Yolande Hunter-Johnson, 9 amfAR’s Greg Millett Interviews Creative Coordinator Addressing Suicide Risk Dr. Anthony Fauci About His Life Contributors in this issue: and Legacy 2 3 Expanding Access to Lifesaving Rowena Johnston, Ph.D., VP and Director, Research Meds for Children Living with HIV Elise Lankiewicz, Project Coordinator, Public Policy RESEARCH EVENTS Greg Millett, M.P.H., VP and Director, Public Policy 14 Düsseldorf Patient Cured of HIV 2 4 Benefit Event Highlights (TWO x TWO 14 Meet the London Patient: Adam Castillejo amfAR meets the BBB Wise 15 amfAR Cure Trial Shows Proof of Concept for AIDS and Art, amfAR Gala Los Giving Alliance’s Standards Angeles, amfAR Gala Palm Beach) for Charity Accountability Cover and inside photos of Sharon Lewin: The Doherty Institute INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

PuBsohuinngdathriees FROM THE CEO W e in the HIV research community are blessed to have exceptional Photo by Ryan Emberley/amfAR scientists such as Prof. Sharon Lewin (cover story), as well as Dr. Xu Yu and Dr. Mathias Lichterfeld (pages 16-17) in our 3 corner. Their ingenuity, dedication, and professionalism are among our most valuable assets in the search for a cure for HIV. With your help, we will continue to support them and other outstanding scientists as they push the boundaries of HIV research and strive for new breakthroughs. This issue of Innovations highlights the leadership role of remarkable women throughout amfAR’s history. In addition to Prof. Lewin and Dr. Yu, you will read about the pioneering work of Dr. Mathilde Krim, whose AIDS Medical Foundation—amfAR’s predecessor—led the charge for AIDS research exactly 40 years ago (page 20). You’ll read about amfAR grantee Dr. Nancy Chang, who went on to pursue a stellar research career and build a billion-dollar biotech company (page 19). You will learn about the off-screen work of Academy Award-winning actor Michelle Yeoh, a longtime supporter of amfAR and passionate advocate for people living with HIV and vulnerable to infection, particularly women, girls, and children (page 5). And you’ll read a firsthand account from Elise Lankiewicz on our Public Policy team about some of the excellent work she and her colleagues are doing in support of PEPFAR and community organizations in sub-Saharan Africa (page 6). Space limitations allow us to highlight only a few of our recent activities and accomplishments in the research, advocacy, international, and fundraising arenas. As always, the breadth of amfAR’s work on behalf of the 38 million people living with HIV is made possible by the talent and dedication of our staff, Board of Trustees, grantees, advocates, and supporters like you. We thank you and hope you’ll stay with us as we endeavor to make AIDS history. Gratefully, Kevin Robert Frost Chief Executive Officer www.amfar.org

PEOPLE amfAR Welcomes James Shackelford Tony Mancilla Elected to amfAR Board In January 2023, James Shackelford, APR, joined amfAR as Vice President amfAR is pleased to announce the newest member of its board of and Director, Public Information. trustees, Tony Mancilla. Before joining amfAR, James led Tony Mancilla has spent the last 15 years in marketing and advertising, global communications and content working on campaigns for clients such as Lincoln Motor Company, for Aon, a professional services Pepsi, AT&T, Budweiser, Citigroup, and many others. Five years ago, he firm with 50,000 employees across founded Savanty, a creative marketing agency specializing in impact 120 countries. Earlier in his career, growth marketing. Mr. Mancilla has also partnered with a tech client to Shackelford founded a public rela- launch a proptech company called Lucy Networks, which is focused on tions and marketing consultancy health, wellness, and energy efficiency in work and living spaces. that served clients including Microsoft, Walmart, Sam’s Club, Honeywell, UNICEF, Be the Match, and AARP. Mancilla’s support of amfAR started in 2012, when he worked on a creative campaign with Kiehl’s for their LifeRide supporting amfAR. The “I’m deeply grateful for the opportunity to lead the communications experience turned out to be one of his most meaningful career decisions. team at an organization with such a rich history of innovation, Deeply impressed with amfAR’s work, Tony has continued to leadership and accomplishment in the field of HIV/AIDS,” said support LifeRide’s various creative campaigns and has attended Shackelford. “I look forward to developing and executing new and supported multiple amfAR events around the world with his strategies for amplifying amfAR’s message, burnishing the brand, wife Katie, including New York, Los Angeles, Cannes, and Venice. and building HIV awareness in the U.S. and beyond.” “We’re delighted that Tony Mancilla has joined the board of Shackelford serves on the board of directors of the American trustees,” said amfAR Chief Executive Officer Kevin Robert Frost. Classical Orchestra and on the Advisory Board of the St. John’s “Having known Tony for many years, I can’t think of a better University Public Relations Program. He served on the national addition to amfAR’s leadership. The board, and the organization board of directors of the Public Relations Society of America as a whole, will benefit greatly from his experience, business from 2020 to 2022 and is a member of the National Press acumen, marketing prowess, and his passionate support of Club of D.C., the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (United our work.” Kingdom), the Institute of Internal Communications, and the World Communications Forum Association Davos. Apart from his day-to-day work, Mancilla serves on the board of the Lisk Morris Foundation, a family foundation that provides funding to amfAR Trustee Tony organizations promoting education, health and wellness, and arts Mancilla and wife Katie and culture, predominantly in the Finger Lakes region of New York. Mancilla at amfAR Gala Additionally, he serves on the corporate board of G.W. Lisk, a manufac- Palm Beach 2023 (Photo: turing company specializing in solenoids, valves, sensors, and more for Beau Bumpas) aerospace, space, and defense industry companies. INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023 4

PEOPLE LighAtcst,ivCiasmme! ra, Photo by Ryan Emberley/amfAR amfAR Ambassador Michelle Yeoh on amplifying AIDS awareness and combatting HIV stigmactress and amfAR ambassador Michelle and fear can sometimes be more contagious and Yeoh is having quite a year. Her lead dangerous than the disease itself. role in the 2022 hit movie Everything On stigma and discrimination: Stigma and AEverywhere All at Once has earned her The following insights are excerpted from a. previously published interview for amfAR’s TREAT Asia program: critical acclaim and numerous accolades, including On using her platform: Those of us who have the discrimination are two of the biggest problems. an Oscar win for Best Actress and top honors at the attention of the media are privileged, and we have One of the most heartbreaking things I’ve seen in Golden Globes. Time Magazine named her one the responsibility to put that privilege to good use! my work on HIV is the stigma HIV-positive children of the world’s 100 most influential people and its I am fortunate because I can draw public attention often face in their communities. When people Icon of the Year in 2022. Last August, she received to HIV/AIDS and help people understand that refuse to let their children play with HIV-positive an honorary doctorate from the American Film this is a disease that can be eradicated. This work children, or prevent them from attending public Institute for her contribution to film. cannot stop until we have defeated the epidemic school, then it’s time for all of us to speak out. on every front around the world. Her work behind the scenes is just as noteworthy. On the need for social support: HIV can take a Born in Malaysia of Chinese descent, Yeoh has On the importance of the fight against AIDS: I serious toll on so many aspects of life. Children long supported causes dear to her heart, including strongly believe in the need to work on behalf of who have lost parents to HIV/AIDS or whose HIV/AIDS, animal conservation, medical research, this cause. For women, protecting themselves parents are ill may need help with education fees. and healthcare and education in Myanmar. She from HIV/AIDS is a fundamental issue and that Some people with HIV may be unable to work has worked with UNAIDS and also serves as convinced me to speak out publicly. I remember and must rely on others to help provide for their a United Nations Development Programme when I was first approached to take a public basic needs. Providing social services can make a Goodwill Ambassador. stand against HIV/AIDS—some advised me significant difference in people’s daily lives. not to become involved with an issue that was In 2015, Yeoh was honored with the Award of connected with sex and acts that some people felt Courage at amfAR Gala Hong Kong. were shameful. But I was convinced that ignorance www.amfar.org 5

POLICY Bringing Data to the Front Lines amfAR policy staff work with community groups in sub-Saharan Africa By Elise Lankiewicz E ach year, members of amfAR’s public policy months for people living with HIV to receive the to the HIV response. We chat about a new PEPFAR office travel to Johannesburg, South Africa, results of their viral load testing. equity initiative (and catch up on a little office for PEPFAR (the U.S. President’s Emergency gossip, too). Plan for AIDS Relief) Country Operational Planning 10:30 a.m. The Zimbabwe room has just finished (COP). PEPFAR works in countries across the globe discussing the gap in HIV programming for 7:00 p.m. After a full day of official meetings, and these weeklong COP meetings bring together adolescent girls and young women, so we take a I’m headed to the activist gathering. Here, local diverse stakeholders to collaboratively design quick tea break. I spot my friend Ken Mwehonge and global community convene to discuss what another year of HIV programming. amfAR staff from an organization called HEPS Uganda. HEPS happened in each country room and how we can bring a breadth of expertise to these meetings but and amfAR collaboratively run a group called support each other the next day. A colleague who are most known for equipping local community Data Champions, which builds data skills among runs a key populations organization in Uganda members with the data they need to advocate community members from Malawi, Tanzania, and shares his fears around a bill introduced in the effectively with representatives of their respective Zimbabwe to lead HIV advocacy. We discuss what Ugandan parliament that morning that would governments and PEPFAR. Here’s a glimpse into a role Data Champions can play in the rest of the further criminalize LGBTQ individuals [it has since day at COPs: COP planning cycle before hurrying back to our passed], creating issues both for safety and ac- respective meetings. cess to health services. As friends from around the 8:00 a.m. I’m still jetlagged from my 18-hour globe from Haiti to Cameroon collectively discuss journey, but load up on tea and join a local 2:00 p.m. A long-awaited lunch break arrives and how we might support our Ugandan colleagues advocate from Zimbabwe who will be presenting I head to the hotel patio to enjoy the South African moving forward, I can’t help but take a moment to community priorities to PEPFAR in our morning summer weather! I spot PEPFAR Ambassador John reflect on what a privilege it is to be here and to meeting. We work to add data to his presentation, Nkengasong, but he’s a bit above my pay grade work so closely with the leaders who are truly on including from a community-led monitoring as a potential lunchmate. I’m just as pleased to find the front lines of this pandemic. I head to dinner project for which amfAR provides technical former amfAR staffer Austin Jones, who now works and bed, ready to do it all again tomorrow. support. We highlight community reports from 32 for PEPFAR. In addition to supporting community, districts across Zimbabwe that it sometimes takes amfAR works closely with PEPFAR on issues related Elise Lankiewicz is project coordinator at amfAR’s Andelson Office of Public Policy. Zimbabwe COP room INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023 6

POLICY AA DDaannggeerroouussPrPerceecdeednet:nTte:nTneenssneeesRseejeecRtsejects FFeeddeerraal lFFuundnsdfsorfoHrIVHPIVrePvernetvioenntion On January 17, 2023, health officials in Tennessee announced their By limiting HIV prevention activities intention to reject federal funding for HIV services including testing to only 2% of those “at risk,” the kits, condoms, medication to prevent acquisition of the virus, and missed prevention opportunities HIV surveillance in the state. Last year, these funds totaled $8.3 in the Tennessee state officials’ million. State officials have indicated that they aim to maintain the plan could end up adding $255 same level of funding, but shift the priorities of the program to million in HIV treatment costs prevent HIV among first responders, mothers and children, and per year for the state.* victims of human trafficking. These populations do not align with those most vulnerable to HIV infection in Tennessee. At most, narrowly focusing HIV prevention In contrast, preventing new HIV cases efforts on the priority populations among those populations most at risk in identified by state officials could prevent Tennessee could prevent an estimated 509 an estimated 9 HIV cases per year: cases of HIV per year: 360 86 011 7 43 20 Cases Case among Case from Cases Cases among Cases among Cases among Cases among among first victims perinatal among transgender people who cisgender men who responders transmission pregnant inject drugs women of human women people have sex with trafficking men (MSM) * Calculated as the lifetime treatment costs of failure to prevent 500 net HIV cases [509 cases - 9 cases] each year under the Tennessee state officials’ plan [$510,000 x 500 = $255 million in additional treatment costs]. The Andelson Office of Public Policy • T: +1 202.331.8600 7 wwwww.awm.faarm.ofrgar.org #CureAIDS

POLICY Structured for Success Partners in Progress: amfAR Meets with Although the updated PEPFAR strategy PEPFAR Ambassador has great potential for continuing the program’s stellar record of accomplish- amfAR’s public policy team continues to help guide the most ment, proposed changes under review successful global health program in history on Capitol Hill may derail its progress. amfAR public policy staff, including Brian Honermann, Deputy Director (left), and Greg Millett, VP and Director In three brief reports, amfAR outlines of Public Policy (right), meet with Ambassador John Nkengasong. what has made PEPFAR work so well thus far and, for the good of global I n 2002, the Congressional Black Caucus showed er this year. amfAR is committed to working with key public health, why its anchor points visionary leadership in sending a letter to bipartisan allies on Capitol Hill—including Congres- shouldn’t be disrupted. The first report President George W. Bush asking him to launch sional HIV/AIDS Caucus co-chair, Congresswoman underscores the reasons for PEPFAR’s an initiative to fight the AIDS pandemic. President Barbara Lee—on reauthorization of this vital program. sustainability—structural factors such as Bush not only responded, but established the a strong legislative commitment to its largest commitment by any nation to combat a single PEPFAR didn’t become a success by chance. It was mission, secured by scientific expertise disease: the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS structured for success through legislation, process, and a robust budget, and resistant to the Relief, or PEPFAR. With strong bipartisan support, focus, and coordination across agencies, which winds of political change; the diplomatic PEPFAR has saved 25 million lives. made it accountable for using the available funding leverage wielded by the U.S. Global AIDS to achieve results with urgency (see sidebar). amfAR’s Coordinator that helps keep HIV/AIDS at Ambassador John Nkengasong, who now leads public policy team created a series of infographics the forefront of international awareness PEPFAR, has devoted his life to countering HIV/ highlighting these structural factors and shared them and accountability; and a programmatic AIDS—both in the lab as a virologist and as the first with the Ambassador and his team. As the landscape culture that champions data-driven Director of the Africa Centers for Disease Control and of U.S. Global Health Security evolves, it’s critical that implementation, among others. Prevention (CDC). Born in Cameroon, he is the first we remain focused on the key pillars that have made person of African origin to oversee PEPFAR. PEPFAR the most successful global health program in The second report argues that PEPFAR’s history and that we remain committed to its mission: to mission may be undercut by an act Approaching the 20th anniversary of PEPFAR and end HIV as a public health threat. recently introduced in Congress that to mark the day the program’s legislation was pro- proposes to transfer the decision-making posed in the U.S. House of Representatives in 2003, amfAR was very encouraged with the Ambassador’s power to a new Ambassador-at-Large for amfAR’s public policy team met with Ambassador vision and his commitment to end AIDS by 2030. His Global Health Security and Diplomacy. Nkengasong to discuss his vision, the future of the leadership and vision are essential to PEPFAR’s future Such a move would decentralize global program, and amfAR’s continued partnership. The success, and amfAR looks forward to a continued health activities and threaten to create public policy team also discussed the program’s close partnership in our collective effort to make more opportunities for uncoordinated fourth reauthorization, which Congress will consid- AIDS history. action and mission creep, and less ability to keep U.S. government actions focused 8 on specific, achievable outcomes. The third report maps out the concrete aims that have been defined by PEPFAR leadership and contrasts them with the proposed change in decision-making, which leaves the metrics, benchmarks, targets, and timelines of the global health security strategy to be developed by each incoming President, with only limited and vague guidance on the strategic elements that must be incorporated. INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

POLICY Increasing Trans Inclusion in HIV/AIDS National Strategic Planning Trans people are among the groups most at risk for instead measured factors that would facilitate Graphic created by community organization Cohort, Ukraine HIV, but they are frequently excluded from policy trans inclusion during the next NSP development and planning documents like National Strategic cycle: “readiness” of advocates to engage in NSP international funders must center trans voices in Plans for HIV/AIDS (NSPs). Based on a yearlong advocacy and the extent to which advocates were HIV strategic planning and commit to sustained project, amfAR and Global Action for Trans Equality able to build relationships with key government financial and technical support of trans-led activism.” (GATE) have released a new report, Increasing and international stakeholder allies. Trans Inclusion in HIV/AIDS National Strategic Planning: Learnings from Community Advocacy in While key lessons specific to each country emerged Five Countries. and are detailed in the report, cross-country lessons were also illuminated: The project aimed to increase trans inclusion in NSPs by building the capacity of five trans-led • data collection by and for trans communities is community organizations to engage in NSP-focused urgently needed advocacy and shape trans-specific programming. amfAR and GATE worked with partner organizations • NSPs must address structural barriers to HIV care in Ukraine (Cohort), Uganda (FEM Alliance Uganda), for trans populations Thailand (Sisters Foundation), Kenya (Jinsiangu), and one country on the African continent unnamed for • advocacy for trans inclusion in NSPs must be safety reasons. flexible, sustained, and tailored to the context As the timeframe of the project did not allow for The report concludes: “Quality inclusion of trans changes in the NSPs to be measured, researchers people in HIV policy is a critical step towards appropriately elevating trans people in the HIV response. To achieve this goal government and Dr. Anthony Fauci: His Life and Legacy By Greg Millett, M.P.H. For a career-spanning interview, the U.S. Depart- over the country to develop the mutations that Immediately, hepatitis C leveraged right off that. ment of Health and Human Services invited me stabilized the spike protein in its pre-fusion form With COVID, now, the same thing—looking at the to speak with Anthony Fauci, M.D., director of to give us a COVID vaccine that has already replication cycle of SARS-CoV-2 and designing the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious saved millions of lives. molecules that could be protease inhibitors, Diseases, as he prepared to step away from the polymerase inhibitors, to do the same thing.” role he has embraced for almost four decades. Even though there was antiviral development Here are some highlights from the researcher, before HIV, it really came into its own with HIV. On how far we’ve come in the fight against physician, and policy advisor. AIDS: “[In] June of 1981 I saw the first cases described in the MMWR, and then a month On AIDS activism: “When no one was later another 26 cases, and I made a decision listening, [the LGBTQ+ community] became that changed the direction of my career and confrontational, retrospectively, quite appro- my life when I said, this is what I’m going to priately confrontational And they were study. And to have the feeling of 41½ years theatrical, disruptive about saying, ‘You’ve later, to say now, we’ve got treatments, gotta listen to what we’re saying.’” we’ve got U=U, we’ve got PrEP, we’ve got PEP. It’s just amazing….” On the broad benefits of HIV research: “Even though we haven’t developed Watch the recorded interview at a vaccine for HIV, the structure-based https://youtu.be/XNLiBvVvVvc. vaccine design and immunodesign [based on AIDS research] was used by Barney Greg Millett, M.P.H., is an amfAR vice Graham and all of his collaborators from all president and director of public policy. www.amfar.org 9

COVER STORY On the Leading Edge of Cure Research The amfAR Interview: Professor Sharon Lewin 10 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

enowned infectious diseases expert Sharon Lewin, AO, FRACP, PhD, FAHMS, is the inaugural Director of the Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity in Melbourne, Australia, Melbourne Laureate Professor of Medicine at The University of Melbourne, and President of R the International AIDS Society (IAS). She also co-chairs the IAS’s Towards an HIV Cure initiative, which is charged in part with coordinating international HIV cure research efforts. Prof. Lewin has authored over 360 publications and given over 100 major international invited talks on HIV cure. In 2019 she was made an Officer of the Order of Australia in recognition of her distinguished service to medical research, education and clinical care, and in 2022 she was awarded the Outstanding Female Researcher Medal by the Australian Academy of Health and Medical Sciences. Innovations editor Andrew McInnes spoke with Professor Lewin about her new amfAR grant—the latest of four she has received since 2006—as well as other projects she’s involved in at the Doherty Institute and lessons from COVID-19 that might be applied to HIV research. Sharon Lewin (left), with researcher Surekha Tennakoon You recently received an amfAR grant for a promising (Photo: The Doherty Institute) HIV cure study. Can you briefly describe the project and its aims? www.amfar.org One approach to curing HIV is to try to eliminate virus that’s hiding in reservoirs, invisible to the immune system. You need to make it visible and we can do that by activating the virus itself. It’s a strategy that’s been around for a while called “shock and kill.” The problem with previous strategies is that they were using drugs that were activating lots of genes, not just the HIV gene. So what we’re doing in the amfAR grant is delivering a drug that’s HIV-specific. The details are a little bit complicated but it works by the drug directly recognizing the genetic code of the HIV before it’s activated. We deliver the drug as a piece of mRNA and wrap the mRNA in a fat bubble, or lipid nanoparticle— exactly like the COVID vaccines—and we have now shown this can work in a test tube model. The next challenge is to get the fat bubble to the reservoir. So we’re putting signals on the fat bubble to direct it to the reservoir. It’s very early days and it’s using a lot of technology that we acquired over the COVID period that we’re now applying to HIV. We’re doing it all in test-tube models at the moment. The next stage is to do it in cells collected from people with HIV who are on antivirals, and the third stage is testing it in a HIV-infected mouse model. 11

You received your first amfAR grant in 2006. amfAR has played body, manipulate them with gene scissors, and How has amfAR funding impacted your work? an incredible put them back in the body. It’s very expensive, role in driving very high tech, and difficult to do outside of a In 2006 I was at the very beginning of my career sophisticated medical center. But one of the as an independent researcher working in HIV cure. the HIV research advances in gene therapy is the mRNA technology And what was amazing about that grant was that agenda forward, I spoke about earlier that can deliver gene-editing it was given to me on the basis of a really good tools in the body. That’s in vivo gene therapy, idea. Not much preliminary data—just a good particularly in meaning that you get an injection, and if you can idea. That’s a little bit high risk, and most funders, HIV cure. give instructions to those gene scissors to go to especially here in Australia, don’t fund good ideas. the right place and the right target and cause no with cancer were receiving anti-PD1. Finally damage along the way, you bypass a lot of the So that amfAR grant was very transformational we looked at immune checkpoint blockers in a expensive, complicated parts of gene therapy. for me. The good idea worked—we developed monkey model of HIV to work out the best time a way of studying the HIV reservoir in a test-tube to give the drug for maximal effect. We’ve just amfAR’s TREAT Asia program has an exten- model, which wasn’t possible before. I have started the first study of anti-PD1 in people living sive clinical research network in the Asia- subsequently received quite a bit of money from with HIV on ART who don’t have cancer and are Pacific region. Do you think there are ways amfAR, who have just played in incredible role otherwise well. to get Asian investigators more engaged in in driving the HIV research agenda forward, cure research? particularly in HIV cure. Some gene therapy-based treatments for cancer have proven effective but are prohibi- I think amfAR’s investment in TREAT Asia is a Can you tell us about other projects you’re tively expensive. Do you think a gene therapy huge opportunity for cure research. TREAT involved in at the Doherty Institute? intervention for HIV could ever be a broadly Asia traditionally has not done basic science or accessible solution? clinical trials. But actually there’s so much work The main areas I work in are HIV cure, HIV and needed in cure research beyond clinical trials hepatitis B co-infection, and, of course, COVID-19. I don’t think the expense should deter us. We’re and fundamental science. Part of that is just The two main areas of HIV work are killing the in the discovery phase right now and we need the understanding what people living with HIV want reservoir through activation or through specific scientific advances that are going to cure HIV. We in those countries, their literacy around cure, kill drugs, and boosting the immune response. still need that major breakthrough right now, even clinicians’ literacy around cure, observational Another major theme of our work is trying to take if it’s looking expensive and complicated. The next studies in countries that have different strains advantage of drugs that have been developed step is, we adapt it, refine it, and make it cheaper. of virus or where many people also have other to enhance the immune response against cancer And that really is the story of antiretroviral therapy. infections like hepatitis B, TB, and others—all and determine whether we can do the same to When ART first came on board in the mid-1990s, it of that can impact the challenge of finding and enhance the immune response to HIV—to one day was super expensive and only rich countries could ultimately delivering a cure. allow people to stop taking antiretroviral therapy afford it. But we developed a whole new structure (ART) and let their immune system take over. for how drugs are priced, expanding their Some countries in the TREAT Asia network have availability in low- and middle-income countries. extraordinarily good capabilities in clinical trials, The main way we’re doing that is with drugs that such as Thailand. So I think it’s a great opportunity basically reverse immune system exhaustion. In There are also scientific reasons why it will and I’ve been having a few discussions with TREAT HIV, even when people are on treatment, their eventually become cheaper and more accessible. Asia Director Dr. Annette Sohn and amfAR Director immune system is a little bit exhausted. We’re The main reason is that at the moment, most gene of Research Dr. Rowena Johnston about what we trying to reverse that exhaustion using two very therapy studies require you to take cells out of the could potentially do through TREAT Asia. I’d love different cancer drugs, one delivered by injection to see something happen through TREAT Asia on and one by tablets. Again, amfAR supported the the cure front. project, which was specifically looking at a group of drugs called immune checkpoint blockers. The HIV research informed our response to most famous of these is an anti-PD1 drug, licensed COVID-19 in many ways. Are there lessons as Keytruda, which has had outstanding success in from COVID that can be applied to HIV? the treatment of melanoma. I think there are lots of lessons that HIV can With a large grant from amfAR, we looked at learn from COVID. For example, the impact of immune checkpoint blockers ex vivo—outside coordination and what’s achievable when people the body—in cells from people living with HIV work together. Of course, that was supported on antivirals and also the impact of these drugs by huge investments. I think it’s unrealistic to in the body, taking advantage of a clinical trial think we’ll ever get that level of investment in where people living with HIV on antivirals and another disease. 12 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

Sharon Lewin at the closing session of the 24th International AIDS Conference (Photo ©Steve Forrest/Workers’ Photos/IAS) Another area is the science. I already gave you for the treatment of COVID. We know how to make Watch the full video interview at an example of mRNA and lipid nanoparticles. them better and have different ways to deliver www.amfar.org/Sharon-Lewin. That field has exploded because of COVID. And them—all through COVID. So I’m optimistic that there are other advances in COVID therapeutics the investment in science through COVID will Andrew McInnes is group director of amfAR’s Public that are highly relevant for HIV. Another example have a great impact on other major infectious Information program. is the use of antibodies, which are now licensed diseases, including HIV. www.amfar.org 13

RESEARCH Düsseldorf Patient Cured of HIV After years of monitoring, researchers confirm another stem cell transplantation success R esearchers working under the purview patient—are both part of amfAR’s ICISTEM cohort Ph.D., amfAR VP and Director of Research. “While of amfAR’s ICISTEM consortium, along of people living with HIV and cancer who received we’ll learn from Marc’s case, like the others before with colleagues in Germany, have stem cell transplants. Two others who are not in him, we’ll continue to work towards a cure that’s confirmed that a 53-year-old man in Germany the cohort, the New York patient and the City accessible, affordable, and available to everyone named Marc, formerly known only as the of Hope patient, received similar interventions living with HIV.” Düsseldorf patient, has been cured of HIV via a and, though still being monitored, appear to stem cell transplant. have been cured. The research findings were published in Nature Medicine. Authors include Dr. Guido Kobbe, who While stem cell transplants show proof that As in other cure cases, Marc was living with HIV led the transplant team, Dr. Björn-Erik Jensen, who HIV can be cured, the procedure is a high-risk (suppressed thanks to antiretroviral therapy, or ART) managed Marc’s HIV care, and several ICISTEM intervention and cannot be widely used as a and an advanced form of blood cancer. In 2013, members: Annemarie Wensing, M.D., Ph.D., co- cure strategy for most people living with HIV. as a treatment for both his HIV and acute myeloid principal investigator, and Monique Nijhuis, Ph.D., However, these cases provide a wealth of leukemia, Marc received a stem cell transplant with of University Medical Center Utrecht, the Nether- information about curing HIV, and in particular donor cells containing the CCR5-delta32 genetic lands; Javier Martínez-Picado, Ph.D., co-principal the HIV reservoir. So, in 2014, amfAR established mutation, which renders cells almost impervious to investigator, and María Salgado, Ph.D., of the ICISTEM, a consortium of European researchers HIV infection. After a relapse of his leukemia, which IrsiCaixa AIDS Research Institute, Barcelona, attempting to replicate the circumstances that was treated successfully without additional stem Spain; Johanna Eberhard, Ph.D., and Julian Schul- led to the groundbreaking cure of Timothy Ray cell transplantation, Marc discontinued ART in 2018 ze zur Wiesch, M.D., of the University Medical Brown, the Berlin patient. and continues to show no signs of HIV infection. Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany; and Asier Sáez-Cirión, Ph.D., of the Pasteur Insti- The second and third individuals who have been “It may take time to see results, but it’s always tute, Paris, France. cured of HIV in this manner—Adam Castillejo, gratifying to see the real human impact of amfAR’s the London patient, and Marc, the Düsseldorf research investments,” said Rowena Johnston, Adam Castillejo and Meet the London Patient: Rowena Johnston, Ph.D., Adam Castillejo VP and Director of Research at amfAR For all its talk of cells and tissues and viruses, biomedical research is ultimately a people- 14 centered venture. Who benefits is what matters. Leading with that reminder, Rowena Johnston, Ph.D., VP and Director of Research at amfAR, introduced Adam Castillejo, the second person cured of HIV, at the latest edition of the foundation’s “Meet the Scientists” discussion series. During the hour-long interview at Deutsche Bank in New York City last fall, Castillejo described his experience and talked about his desire to be an “Ambassador of Hope,” advocating for people living with HIV and cancer, as well as those who experience mental health issues. His mission includes fighting stigma and strengthening communication between the community and HIV cure researchers. On his recent visits with HIV cure scientists in their labs, Adam said: “The response I’ve had with some of the researchers—they’re so excited to see me because they see how their work can change people’s lives. And they have changed my life. I want to support [them], I want to energize, I want them to feel empowered by me saying, ‘Your work means something—and you will change people’s lives in the future.’” INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

RESEARCH amfAR Cure Trial Shows Proof of Concept Findings from at least 12 amfAR-funded research projects were presented at the 30th annual Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) in February. Topics ranged from characterizing the HIV reservoir to the effects of COVID in people living with and without HIV. Some of the most exciting news came out of amfAR Clinical Trial investigator Michael Peluso, M.D., of UCSF, presenting the findings at CROI the amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF). Its seven reached a resting state in which virus was This study established proof of concept that groundbreaking clinical trial tested a combination controlled in the absence of ART below 5,000 combination immunotherapy may induce post- of agents in an effort to induce post-treatment copies/mL of blood, two of whom maintained treatment control by altering facets of the virus or control in people living with HIV. Post-treatment copies below 1,000. For one individual, viral re- the immune response to it, and it provides a wealth control would allow people living with HIV to bound has not occurred as of 18 months off ART, of clues for scientists to build on for a scalable safely discontinue antiretroviral therapy (ART) and with signs of sustained HIV reservoir reduction HIV cure. thus avoid the associated costs, toxicities, and during the ATI. side effects. New Krim Fellowship Awarded The culmination of a years-long effort by dozens of medical and laboratory scientists, the Phase Dr. Steven de Taeye tuned to bind to their targets. Because of this 1/2 single-arm proof-of-concept study conducted ability to home in on targets, they could make at UCSF evaluated the efficacy of a combination A new Mathilde Krim Fellowship in Biomedical convenient vehicles to ferry interventions— immunotherapy approach to control HIV once ART Research in the amount of $150,000 was treatment or killing—to specific cells of interest. is stopped. The combination included: awarded to Steven de Taeye, Ph.D., of the University of Amsterdam in the Netherlands. Dr. de Taeye will use antibody conjugates, in • several doses of a DNA vaccine administered The prestigious fellowships, named for amfAR’s which an intervention is bound, or conjugated, with an immune hormone to boost immune Founding Chairman, are intended to boost the to an antibody that in turn binds to specific cells. responses; careers of talented postdoctoral investigators He will use several different antibody-based by providing two years of research support. carrier approaches. The first is a toxin that can • a viral vector vaccine to further enhance cellular be delivered, via antibody, to T cells displaying immunity; Dr. de Taeye will use his fellowship to explore specific surface signals. Another is an agent to how antibodies might be exploited to develop stimulate the internal defenses of HIV-infected • two broadly neutralizing antibodies (bNAbs) to a cure for HIV. Antibodies are exquisitely fine- cells, leading to a cascade of events that results reduce the reservoir, combat circulating viruses, in destruction by the immune system. and enhance cellular immunity; and One of the principal strengths of the Mathilde • an immune modulator (TLR-9 agonist) to expand Krim Fellowship program is that fellows immune function. work under the mentorship of seasoned HIV researchers. Dr. de Taeye will be mentored by To assess the ability of the intervention to induce Dr. Rogier Sanders, who was in the first class post-treatment control, an analytic treatment of Krim Fellows in 2008, and by Dr. Marit van interruption (ATI) phase invited trial participants Gils, a 2016 Krim Fellow who was mentored to stop taking their ART temporarily, a process by Dr. Sanders. closely monitored by researchers. The study, which received additional support from Gilead Sciences, enrolled 10 participants (nine cisgender men, one transgender woman), whose HIV was well-controlled by ART. The majority of participants showed evidence of virologic control after ART was stopped. While almost all showed signs that the virus persisted, seven of the 10 did not rebound in the usual way, where a rapid burst of uncontrolled viral growth would otherwise be expected. Instead, these www.amfar.org 15

RESEARCH AHIVShCuarreeRdePseaasrscihon for amfAR grantees Drs. Xu Yu and Mathias Lichterfeld discuss their differing approaches to curing HIV Dr. Yu: My work centers on understanding the types of immune responses that may be able to By Andrew McInnes Can you each briefly describe your current target HIV-infected cells. Historically, my interest research interests? has been T cells, but I also study a number of W ith a shared passion for science, this alternative immune cells involved in fighting virally husband-wife team—he from Germany, We are both interested in HIV cure research infected cells. I am particularly fascinated by “elite she from China are a prolific couple in the but generally speaking, Mathias has more of a controllers,” who can serve as a model for what field of HIV cure research, regularly pub- virological and clinical interest, while Xu is more a cure of HIV infection may look like, and I also lishing in leading peer-reviewed journals. interested in immune responses and host factors. work with persons who acquired HIV in the past but in whom I’m unable to detect intact HIV DNA, Dr. Xu Yu is an Associate Professor of Medicine at Dr. Lichterfeld: My work currently focuses on despite analyzing billions of cells; it’s possible that Harvard Medical School, a Principal Investigator studying individual HIV-infected cells from people such persons may have achieved a true cure of at the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard, living with HIV, using technologies to capture HIV infection, simply through the power of their and Associate Immunologist in the Infectious their original physiologic state that was present immune system. Disease Division at Brigham and Women’s when these cells were circulating in the human Hospital. Dr. Mathias Lichterfeld is a Professor body. Most of this research uses next-generation How did you get involved in HIV research? of Medicine at Harvard Medical School and sequencing technologies, which allow us to Co-Director of the Harvard University Center for obtain deep, high-resolution insight into these Dr. Lichterfeld: I got interested in HIV research AIDS Research Program on HIV Eradication. He cells. I am also involved in clinical trials to test novel during my first year working as a physician, shortly is a senior staff physician in the Infectious Disease approaches for HIV cure and eradication, and have after graduating from medical school. My first job Division at Brigham and Women’s Hospital and a specific interest in pediatric HIV infection, which as a resident was in a hospital that served as a Massachusetts General Hospital, and a member of I study in collaboration with Dr. Roger Shapiro and referral center for patients with hemophilia, many the Ragon Institute of MGH, MIT and Harvard. other investigators from the Botswana-Harvard of whom had acquired HIV and/or hepatitis C AIDS Institute Partnership program. through contaminated blood products. They were almost all young males in the same age group as myself, which frequently made it easy to connect. I also felt that understanding how HIV causes 16 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

Drs. Mathias Lichterfeld and Xu Yu (right) talk with other researchers at the Ragon Institute. (Photo by Michelle C. Rose) disease in some people but not in others was an individual HIV-1 sequences in a larger number of sure they exist, and that they can ultimately be extremely interesting question, and that studying persons who remained on suppressive treatment effectively exploited for therapeutic purposes. HIV could help a lot in understanding how the for more than 15 years. Here, we are interested immune system works. to understand the characteristics of infected cells You’re both scientists at the Ragon Institute that manage to survive for so many years, and with similar research interests and you’re a Dr. Yu: I graduated from medical school in China, how they are resisting human immune responses. married couple. Can you tell us how you met? about 20 years ago. During my medical work as We are also very much interested in how HIV an intern in a major university hospital, I frequently reservoir cells may differ between men and women We met in a research lab. We were attracted saw firsthand what devastating effects HIV can in this study. by differences in character, background, and have on a person’s life, specifically at the time culture. We have complementary strengths and when treatment was not always readily available. I How hopeful are you that we’ll eventually weaknesses. We discuss science a lot, and typically also learned a lot about stigma associated with HIV be able to cure HIV or learn how to control it disagree profoundly with each other. Overall, it’s and wanted to make a contribution for the better. without antiretroviral therapy? safe to say that our life is not boring. What role has amfAR funding played in We believe there has been incredible progress in What do you do to relax? advancing your research? understanding the mechanisms of HIV persistence, specifically during the last 10 years. One thing Dr. Lichterfeld: Swimming and relaxing in amfAR has been a continuous research partner that we are learning more and more, not just in whirlpools and hot tubs, preferably with high- throughout our careers. Mathias still remembers the context of HIV but also in cancer, is to never powered jacuzzi or in a Japanese onsen. that one of his first grants was from amfAR to study underestimate the power of the immune system. specific T cell subsets that may serve as a place Our and others’ work increasingly suggests Dr. Yu: Traveling, family activities, Chinese food for HIV to survive long-term during antiretroviral that the human immune system is able to corner and culture. therapy—a question that is in many ways still at the HIV-infected cells from multiple directions, and center of interest in HIV cure research. that virally infected cells use sophisticated ways Andrew McInnes is group director of amfAR’s Public to avoid human immune activity. Much of the Information program. More recently, support from amfAR has allowed us work we currently do is to find the weaknesses to embark on a larger project—a study to evaluate and vulnerabilities of HIV-infected cells—we are 17 www.amfar.org

RESEARCH Curing HIV: The Road Ahead amfAR grantees present findings at HIV conference By Rowena Johnston, Ph.D. The 10th International Workshop on HIV Persistence During Therapy in Miami last December covered the gamut of recent HIV cure research findings, from HIV persist- ence, drug discovery and development, and pharmacology to cell and gene therapy and antibody and immune-based therapies. An opening lecture was delivered by German Dr. Pamela Skinner, University of Minnesota physician and researcher Dr. Gero Hütter, who is credited with conducting the groundbreaking between cases when virus was cleared versus occur even when the animal is taking antiretroviral stem cell transplant procedure that led to the when it was not. therapy (ART), which should suppress any new first-ever case of an HIV cure—Timothy Ray Brown. infection events. Dr. Hütter summarized how much we have In a scientific coup, Dr. Sacha captured under the learned since that case was published in 2009, microscope the moment a donor cell lacking the Most researchers in the field are pursuing curative and how much is still to be done. mutation was infected by one of the few viruses approaches that are thought to be more easily remaining in the recipient animal. This explains scalable and less costly. There is particular interest A scientific coup how even when a transplant recipient’s entire in the potential for antibodies to at least control Today, stem cell transplants with cells from donors immune system is replaced by cells from the infection, or to perhaps even target and eliminate who harbor the CCR5 delta32 mutation remain donor, HIV infection can persist. It is particularly reservoir cells. Along those lines, the RIO study, led the only means of completely eradicating HIV puzzling that this infection of donor cells can by Dr. Sarah Fidler in the UK, tests the ability of two from the body. amfAR grantee Dr. Jonah Sacha, long-acting anti-HIV antibodies to affect the ability of Oregon Health and Science University, created of participants to control the infection after they an animal model to better understand the neces- stop taking ART. Dr. Fidler provided intriguing but sary components of such cures. Transplanting cells preliminary evidence that, depending on the timing with intact CCR5, he characterized differences of the antibody treatment, the duration of viral control without ART can be extended, although the virus was not eliminated. Targeting tissue sites Because of the inability to date of immunotherapy to clear the reservoir, there is growing interest in the potential of gene therapy to eliminate either the virus from inside infected cells, or the infected cells themselves. One example of such efforts was provided by amfAR grantee Dr. Pamela Skinner, of the University of Minnesota. She is pursuing an approach that targets chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T and other CAR cells directly to lymph nodes, where most of the virus is found. She and her team demonstrated that CAR T cells engineered to home in on the lymph node make appropriate contact with infected cells. Dr. Jonah Sacha, Oregon Health and Science University 18 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

RESEARCH Finding HIV’s hiding places is a challenge Dr. Nancy Chang at the poster session during the inaugural Nancy Chang, Ph.D. Research Symposium on addressed by amfAR grantee Dr. Timothy Henrich, February 27, 2023, at Baylor College of Medicine (Photo courtesy Baylor College of Medicine) of the amfAR Institute for HIV Cure Research at the University of California, San Francisco. His Groundbreaking amfAR Grantee team was the first to develop a method of using Dr. Nancy Chang Honored PET imaging to directly assess which tissues in live humans harbor the greatest burden of virus, Baylor College of Medicine recognized former In 1986, she became an associate professor of published in Nature Communications in March amfAR grantee Nancy T. Chang, Ph.D., for virology at Baylor. That same year, the wife-hus- 2022. He reported further work by his team, her pioneering work as a biochemist and band team founded Tanox, a pharmaceutical describing how the HIV reservoir shifts location businessperson on February 27, when the company dedicated to the research and devel- over the course of long-term treated HIV and new institution’s Department of Medicine hosted opment of therapeutic monoclonal antibodies methods of measuring HIV activity inside lymph its inaugural research symposium named in for the treatment of allergies, asthma, inflam- nodes in real time. her honor. mation, and diseases affecting the immune system. In 2003, the FDA approved Xolair, the A call for diversity After emigrating from Taiwan to the U.S. with first biotech product indicated for allergy-relat- Most HIV cure studies are conducted in males her husband, fellow biochemist Tse Wen ed asthma. Tanox also developed anti-HIV drug harboring clade B HIV. Dr. Nancie Archin, of the Chang, Dr. Chang earned an undergraduate TNX-355 (Trogarzo), a post-attachment inhib- University of North Carolina, provided an overview degree from Brown and a doctorate in itor. In 2007, the couple sold the company to of what is known, and what remains to be learned, biological chemistry from Harvard University. Genentech for nearly $1 billion. about sex differences in the HIV reservoir, citing Her post-doc work focused on interferon. amfAR’s own work in the field. And one of the most Among numerous accolades, Dr. Chang moving moments of the conference came from a With funding from amfAR, Dr. Chang studied received the Biotechnology Heritage Award in talk given by Josephine Nabukenya, an advocate protease, an HIV enzyme essential for viral 2012 from the Chemical Heritage Foundation from Uganda, arguing passionately for more cure replication. Her research helped spur the (now the Science History Institute) and the research in African populations. development of protease inhibitors, a Biotechnology Innovation Organization. Baylor game-changing class of antiretrovirals. The College of Medicine and Stanford University The complexity of the task at hand was illustrated first protease inhibitor (saquinavir) was ap- have both endowed chairs in her name. by amfAR grantee Dr. Eli Boritz, of the National proved by the FDA in 1995, and two others Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. quickly followed. “We hope this well-deserved honor will Reporting on a study since published in Nature in introduce Dr. Chang and her revolutionary January, he described a microfluidic technology At Centocor (later Janssen Biotech), Dr. Chang research to a new generation,” said Kevin many years in the making that was used to and her team were part of a consortium that Robert Frost, amfAR’s CEO. “Her early work on sort single infected cells out from the bulk of sequenced the HIV genome structure. In protease is exactly the type of research amfAR (uninfected) blood cells, so that each infected addition, she made a significant contribution to funds today—innovative science with the cell could be individually interrogated. His team the development of the first diagnostic assay to potential to change the lives of people living found that the genetic programming of infected detect HIV infection. with HIV/AIDS around the world.” cells was altered so that the cells were more likely to survive, more likely to proliferate, and less likely to produce virus, the latter helping them to evade detection by the immune system. Although there were promising hints of progress, there is clearly much research yet to be done to find an affordable, scalable cure to help end the HIV pandemic. Dr. Johnston is an amfAR vice president and director of research. www.amfar.org 19

RESEARCH Laying the Foundation for AIDS Research April 2023 marked the 40th anniversary of the founding of amfAR’s pioneering predecessor, the AIDS Medical Foundation I n 1981, when cases of what would become gay men’s health, and singer and AIDS activist known as AIDS were first reported, Dr. Michael Callen. Mathilde Krim realized that the outbreak had the potential to become an epidemic. AMF’s first grants were awarded in 1984. The She quickly saw that public awareness had to grant-making expanded when, in September be heightened and the scientific community 1985, AMF joined forces with Elizabeth Taylor’s needed to direct its energies toward research. National AIDS Research Foundation, which had As a researcher at Memorial Sloan Kettering been incorporated in California in August 1985, Cancer Center, she pivoted her own work on to become amfAR, The Foundation for AIDS interferons to investigate this new virus and its Research (formerly, the American Foundation for possible treatment. AIDS Research). Then, in April 1983, partly in response to Soon after amfAR’s founding, three of the key figures “Though Dr. Krim, amfAR’s founding chairman, government inaction, Dr. Krim and a small group behind its predecessor, the AIDS Medical Foundation, died in 2018, her legacy lives on,” noted Kevin of like-minded activists founded the nonprofit attend a reception: (left to right) Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, Robert Frost, amfAR’s CEO. “Following in the AIDS Medical Foundation (AMF), the first private Dr. Mathilde Krim, and Harley Hackett, who was also footsteps of the AIDS Medical Foundation, amfAR organization in the world dedicated to raising a founding amfAR board member. remains committed to funding innovative research funds to support scientific and medical research on that will one day cure this deadly virus, and fighting AIDS. Based in New York City, the group included for the rights and needs of all people living with Dr. Joseph Sonnabend, a physician focused on and at risk for HIV.” 20 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

Fighting for a Cure DONOR in the City that Never Sleeps E liot Glazer was a true New Yorker,” recounts Jeffrey continues: “We were a serodiscordant Eliot Glazer would his life partner, Jeffrey Wolf, who met him in couple, and Eliot’s journey with HIV, like many be incredibly 1979—”pre-AIDS, post-Stonewall”—at a bar others back then, was fraught with shame, proud today of on Manhattan’s Upper West Side called Wildwood secrecy, and stigma. So was our 27-year when they were in their twenties. Along with two relationship, which didn’t make life easy for the work amfAR brothers, Rashi and Ira, Eliot had been raised in anyone.” is doing in gene the West 80s and lived in and around that part of therapy and other Manhattan until his death from lung cancer, an AIDS- “Eliot always felt that he lived so very long [interventions] related complication. after his diagnosis because he could afford his medication. He had a good job with good insurance. to actually Eliot’s education was also rooted in New York City. And some money. He felt as if he were one of the cure HIV… He attended Hunter Elementary, then Horace-Mann lucky ones—making it to 55. And he would be in Riverdale, graduating in 1969. A quick detour incredibly proud today of the work amfAR is doing to the University of Michigan ended when he got in gene therapy and other [interventions] to actually expelled for protesting an ROTC building during the cure HIV,” shares Jeffrey. “It’s a shame Eliot Glazer Vietnam War era. He eventually earned an MFA in isn’t here to experience the thrill of seeing the words painting at New York University, but it wasn’t to be ‘HIV’ and ‘cure’ in the same sentence together.” his calling. “Thanks to the generosity of people like Eliot After graduation he found himself at a job in a gallery Glazer, amfAR is able to fund research to bring hanging paintings and installing artwork in the those two words—‘HIV’ and ‘cure’—closer and apartments of the wealthy along Fifth, Madison, and closer together,” says Kyle Clifford, amfAR’s Chief Park Avenues. Since painting was his passion, Eliot Development Officer. “In his memory and that of thought to himself, “What’s wrong with this picture?” countless others, we will continue to make good on our promise—to make AIDS history.” “Always scheming, Eliot got into Columbia University, where he received an MBA in 1977. He went on —JEFFREY WOLF to have a very successful career in advertising and marketing, which had allowed him at the Eliot Glazer time of his death in 2007 to leave amfAR this (left) and incredibly generous and much-needed gift,” Jeffrey says Jeffrey. Since his death, his estate has made Wolf above yet another major gift to amfAR. From 1991 to 2007, Eliot had been a regular amfAR donor, as Central well, contributing over $97,000. Park in Manhattan During the initial decade of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, the couple deferred testing for HIV until 1987, “because that’s when an experimental treatment called AZT was (finally) approved and there was (finally) something you could try if you tested positive (a death sentence in those days—one that promised to be painful and swift).” QUESTIONS ABOUT PLANNED GIVING? PLEASE CONTACT US AT [email protected]. 21 YOU SHOULD ALWAYS CONSULT WITH YOUR FINANCIAL ADVISOR AND/OR TAX PROFESSIONAL BEFORE INITIATING A CHARITABLE GIFT ARRANGEMENT. THE INFORMATION PROVIDED ON THIS PAGE SHOULD NOT BE CONSTRUED AS TAX OR FINANCIAL ADVICE. www.amfar.org

GLOBAL Improving Transgender Health in Southeast Asia There is an urgent need for research that Led by principal investigator and IHRI Executive informs evidence-based guidance and Director Nittaya Phanuphak, M.D., Ph.D., the study health services for transgender people, is enrolling 300 HIV-negative transgender people especially in the Asia-Pacific region. and 150 transgender people living with HIV from While research on improving health outcomes for four community-based organizations and clinics transgender people living with and without HIV in the region—the Rainbow Sky Association of in North America, Europe, and South America Thailand and Tangerine Clinic (IHRI), both in has been initiated, less is known about the health Bangkok; Victoria by LoveYourself in Manila, the factors that impact this key population in Asia and Philippines; and Glink in Hanoi, Vietnam. These how healthcare workers might best respond to organizations provide clinical services for HIV, sexual their needs. and psychosocial health, and gender-affirming care. HIV prevalence among transgender women in TREAT Asia helped mark the seventh anniversary SEATrans (South-East Asian Transgender Health Thailand, Vietnam, and the Philippines ranges of one of the study’s participating organizations in Cohort) will regularly assess biomedical, structural, from 12% to 18%, strikingly higher than the Thailand, the Tangerine Clinic, co-founded by Rena and psychosocial risks among transgender people 0.9% among the general population, and data Janamnuaysook of IHRI (second from right). TREAT living with or without HIV who access tailored on transgender men in these countries are very Asia staff in attendance included (left to right) service packages at the participating programs. limited. Globally, transgender women’s risk of Dr. Jeremy Ross, Boondarika Petersen, Chidchon This includes monitoring health outcomes, including acquiring HIV has been estimated at 49 times Chansilpa, Dr. Annette Sohn, and, to the right of Ms. HIV seroconversion, PrEP and ART uptake and greater than the general population. Compared Janamnuaysook, Katiphot Kanoknorrasade. adherence, viral suppression, and long-term to cisgender people living with HIV, transgender metabolic complications. The study is funded by the women are less likely to be taking antiretroviral A multisite, prospective observational cohort U.S. NIH through the International epidemiology therapy (ART), and, if they are, they are less likely study, sponsored by amfAR’s TREAT Asia Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium and to achieve viral suppression. Transgender women program, in collaboration with the Institute of HIV TREAT Asia/amfAR. Research and Innovation (IHRI), Thailand, seeks to who are HIV negative have a lower uptake of close these knowledge gaps and improve related “In general, health disparities among transgen- PrEP compared to other populations as well. health services. der women and men are caused by a range of factors, including stigma and dis- crimination, violence, and poor PARTNERS: HIV Care Continuum & mental health, which can put them Beyond: A New Era for Asia at risk of acquiring HIV and oth- HAIVNeCwarEerCaofonrtiAnusiuam & Beyond: er health conditions,” says Rena tahnedeqffuoarltitsyoof fsilxifeAfsoiarnpteeorprilteolriiveisngtoweinthd the Janamnuaysook, one of the study’s Wephiditeempiacp, eimr epxroavmeincianrge HIV co-investigators, who is the Imple- mentation Science Program Man- There are an estimated 6 Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand—the ager at IHRI and a co-founder of million people living with solution-driven initiative has succeeded in creating a space the Tangerine Clinic. Expand PrEP Promote U=U Increase DEinsdcrSimtiginmataio&n ImproovfeLQifeuality HIV in the Asia-Pacific in which to share and disseminate policies and programs Janamnuaysook continues: “In Testing region. A quarter of new to meet UNAIDS Fast Track Targets for HIV control. Thailand, previous studies have HIV infections are among shown that almost half of trans- SUPPORTED BY: young people aged 15 to The initiative has focused on four key challenges, both gender women and men have had 24, and almost all occur clinical (prevention; testing, diagnosis, and treatment) negative experiences with tradi- NX-RCH-HVX-LBND-220004 key populations and their and non-clinical (stigma and discrimination; quality of life). tional healthcare providers related November 2022 to their gender identity. Launched with a virtual forum on December 3, the among members of sexual partners. Starting in 2021, the HIV Care Continuum & Beyond, initiative’s white paper, HIV Care Continuum & Beyond: A “Our study will provide a better an initiative from ViiV Healthcare and partner New Era for Asia, assesses to what extent local initiatives picture of how to provide gender- organizations, including amfAR’s TREAT Asia program, have strengthened the care continuum and details affirming health services for has sought to bolster the response to HIV/AIDS in the how community engagement has played a vital role in transgender people living with region. Composed of a steering committee of experts developing and delivering person-centered interventions. HIV and without HIV in Thailand, from six Asian territories—including HIV academics, Vietnam, and the Philippines.” healthcare professionals, community organizations, Read the full report at and patient advocates in China, Hong Kong SAR, https://www.amfar.org/ta-2022-hiv-wp. 22 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

HIV and Youth in Thailand: Addressing Suicide Risk By Chael Needle Left to right: Dr. Annette Sohn, amfAR VP and director of amfAR’s TREAT M ental illness can negatively impact quality Dr. Sudjaritruk’s earlier work Asia program, Dr. Tavitiya Sudjaritruk (CMU), Tulathip Suwanlerk (TREAT of life as well as HIV treatment outcomes, focused on non-AIDS-related Asia), at the TREAT Asia office, Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2022 and is usually under-recognized, under- diagnosed, and under-treated,” says comorbidities among adolescents living with Tavitiya Sudjaritruk, M.D., Ph.D. HIV, such as bone health and liver, renal, and appropriate adaptations of existing English- An expert in pediatric infectious diseases at cardiovascular diseases. But in the course of language suicide and other mental health Chiang Mai University in Thailand, Dr. Sudjaritruk taking care of her patients she realized that screening tools. conducted research showing that 14% of Thai adolescents and young adults in her cohort mental health issues—including depression, reported having lifetime suicidal ideation and/or behaviors. Realizing that there were limited data anxiety disorders, as well as suicidal ideation— Asked about the importance of cultural sensitivity, on the risk of suicide among youth living with and were pervasive. “That’s why I shifted my focus to Dr. Sudjaritruk responded: “Since most mental at risk for HIV in Asia, she and her team decided mental health,” she says. health assessment tools are usually developed and to act. Adds Dr. Sudjaritruk, who has collaborated with validated in high-income countries, they may not The result is a new study led by Dr. Sudjaritruk amfAR’s TREAT Asia program since 2008 as a capture the constructs they are intended to measure that seeks to fill in these critical knowledge gaps. in resource-limited countries, including Thailand. The goal? To help these Thai youth access early screening and link those with mental health issues research network site investigator, mental health Without reliable instruments, it is impossible to to appropriate care. The research is sponsored is often overlooked in healthcare settings because evaluate the burden of the problems and identify by amfAR’s TREAT Asia program and the U.S. “in routine medical care, healthcare providers appropriate interventions for our population.” National Institutes of Health through the IeDEA usually focus on patients’ physical illness and Asia-Pacific program. adherence to antiretroviral medications. Also, The second phase of the study is a three-year as mental illness is a sensitive issue, a good prospective cohort study that started enrolling in relationship between patient and healthcare December 2022 and aims to assess prevalence provider is required to support open conversations and incidence of suicidality among this population and reliable symptom reporting.” compared with their HIV-negative age- and sex- Her study will have two phases. The first phase matched counterparts. Factors associated with has recently been completed, and allowed Dr. suicidality also will be identified. Sudjaritruk to translate and validate culturally Chael Needle is amfAR’s senior staff writer. Expanding Access to Lifesaving Meds for Children Living with HIV In 2021, UNAIDS estimated that there were 130,000 children living 2021 vertical HIV transmission metrics in with HIV in the Asia-Pacific region, with 14,000 new infections selected Asia-Pacific countries occurring through mother-to-child transmission, which varied by country. Facilitating access to formulations of the HIV medicine Country Treatment coverage Rate of vertical Number of children dolutegravir (DTG) that can be used by infants and children living with HIV in the Asia-Pacific is an urgent concern. Cambodia of pregnant women transmission 0-14 years living with India In light of recent U.S. and European regulatory approvals of a Indonesia living with HIV HIV dispersible version of pediatric DTG, amfAR’s TREAT Asia program Malaysia has released a policy brief that cover topics such as formulations, Philippines 80% 14% 2,300 dosing, and pricing of DTG. It also recommends steps that national Thailand HIV programs and advocacy groups can take to secure access to Vietnam 64% 24% 70,000 this medicine as quickly as possible. Data: UNAIDS 15% 31% 19,000 Read the brief in full at https://amfar.org/treat-asia/ib-pediatric-dolutegravir. >98% 2% <700 15% 39% <1,000 97% 2% 2,000 75% 18% 4,900 www.amfar.org 23

amfAR TWO x TWO FOR AIDS AND ART Benefit October 22, 2022 Rachofsky House, Dallas, Texas Galas Hosts: Cindy and Howard Rachofsky, and John and Lisa Runyon Help Award of Excellence for Artistic Contributions to the Fight Bring Us Against AIDS: Rashid Johnson Closer to an HIV amfAR GALA LOS ANGELES Cure November 3, 2022 Pacific Design Center, Los Angeles, California Award of Courage: Kelly Rowland Philanthropic Leadership Award: Paramount Pictures amfAR GALA PALM BEACH March 11, 2023 Kessler Residence, Palm Beach, Florida Hosts: Michele and Howard Kessler Award of Courage: Jane Lynch 24 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

1 2 3 1. Kelly Rowland accepts amfAR’s Award of www.amfar.org Courage from husband Tim Weatherspoon and son Titan [LA] (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR) 2. Honoree Rashid Johnson, whose own donated work was purchased for nearly $2 million, is flanked by Jessica Nowitzki and Dirk Nowitzki [TWO x TWO] (Photo by Kevin Tachman) 3. amfAR CEO Kevin Robert (right) with members of the cast of Paramount’s Top Gun: Maverick, Lewis Pullman, Monica Barbaro, Greg Tarzan Davis, and amfAR Trustee Jay Ellis, who accepted the amfAR Philanthropic Leadership Award on behalf of Paramount Pictures [LA] (Photo by Kennedy Pollard/amfAR/Getty Images for amfAR) 25

1 3 2 4 5 1. (L-R) amfAR Trustee Donald Dye, Board kohshinfinley Thank you to Co-Chairs Kevin McClatchy and T. Ryan Greenawalt, Cindy Rachofsky, Howard ������@twoxtwo_dallas for having me Rachofsky, and amfAR Trustee Michael Lorber [TWO x TWO] (Photo by Kevin be a part of a wonderful event! Tachman) 2. Palm Beach hosts Howard and Michele Kessler [PB] (Photo by Capeheart ✨������✨Gratitude to @reesecooper Green Photography) 3. Auctioneer Michael Macaulay [TWO x TWO] (Photo by Kevin Ranger power-up Tachman) 4. Co-hosts John and Lisa Runyon [TWO x TWO] (Photo by Kevin Tachman) 5. amfAR Board Co-Chair Kevin McClatchy (standing) with Trustees (L-R) Jeffrey Schoenfeld, Phill Wilson, and Dr. Mervyn Silverman [PB] (Photo by Ryan Emberley) 26 INNOVATIONS, MAY 2023

78 1 11 10 www.amfar.org 9 13 12 7. Nile Rodgers and CHIC made sure everyone had a good time, performing hits such as “Le Freak” and “Get Lucky.” [TWO x TWO] (Photo by Kevin Tachman) 8. Simon de Pury auctions off Portrait of Eve by Harmonia Rosales [LA] (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer) 9. Jane Krakowski brought the house down with “Don’t Cry Out Loud.” [PB] (Photo by Ryan Emberley) 10. Award of Courage honoree Jane Lynch sent a special video message [PB] 11. Kate Upton and Justin Verlander [PB] (Photo by Ryan Emberley) 12. Aloe Blacc [LA] (Photo by Kevin Winter) 13. Event Chair Jenna Dewan and Steve Kazee [LA] (Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer) 27

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