Merit Grant Awarded: HIV Cure Research
HIV Cure Research Receives $8.2M Boost
What: Researchers at Weill Cornell Medicine and Oregon Health & Science University (OHSU) have received a $8.2 million NIH MERIT Award to study individuals who achieved HIV remission after stem cell transplantation. The goal is to understand why the procedure worked for some and not others, and to develop a broadly applicable immunotherapy for an HIV cure.
Where: Weill Cornell Medicine (New York, NY) and Oregon Health & Science University (Portland, OR). Research will involve analyzing samples from patients who underwent stem cell transplants.
When: The grant is for five years, with potential renewal for another five, totaling a potential $16.4 million. The initial case of a confirmed HIV cure via stem cell transplant occurred nearly 20 years ago (timothy Ray Brown). The award was recently announced (date not specified in text).
Why it Matters: While stem cell transplantation can eradicate HIV, it’s a risky and complex procedure not suitable for widespread use. Understanding the immune responses that led to a cure in a small number of patients is crucial for developing safer, more accessible HIV treatment options. This research aims to move beyond the current treatment paradigm of managing HIV to curing it.
What’s Next:
Researchers will analyze samples from individuals who were cured and those who weren’t cured by stem cell transplants.
Weill Cornell Medicine will focus on investigating the mechanisms of HIV eradication.
The team will aim to identify and understand the immune responses responsible for the observed cures.Key People:
Dr. Lishomwa Ndhlovu (Weill Cornell Medicine): Herbert J. and Ann L. Siegel Distinguished professor of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases.
* Dr. Jonah Sacha (OHSU): Professor and Chief of the Division of Pathobiology and Immunology at OHSU’s Oregon National Primate Research Center.
Funding Details:
| Funding Source | Amount (Projected) | Duration | Potential Renewal |
|—|—|—|—|
| NIH MERIT Award (National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) | $8.2 million | 5 years | Up to 10 years ($16.4 million total) |
– drjenniferchen