WINNIPEG, May 21, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Recent scientific discoveries in HIV illustrate the need for partnerships and collaboration in the effort to develop a safe and effective HIV vaccine. But making alliances work effectively over the long term is a challenge, particularly since an effective HIV vaccine has eluded scientists for over 30 years.
With that in mind, 12 Canadian and international experts in HIV discussed collaborations across sectors and borders at the Canadian HIV Vaccine Initiative (CHVI) Research and Development Alliance Coordinating Office (ACO) Annual Meeting, held in Toronto on April 30, 2015. The CHVI is a Canadian initiative designed to support global HIV vaccine research and development efforts.
The full-day meeting aimed to identify current and future partnerships in order to help improve and guide further collaborations. The day was divided into three themes -- government partnerships, academic/industry partnerships, and international partnerships.
Participants identified best practices for establishing and maintaining national and international HIV vaccine research and development alliances in order to facilitate complementary and collaborative group initiatives. Some of the key points raised during the meeting included:
- Partnerships and collaborations across all sectors including academia, government and industry, are essential for continued success.
- Government departments need to continue working together to facilitate shared goals and interests.
- Access to pre-clinical animal models, including non-human primates and manufacturing facilities are required for Canadian scientists to be globally competitive.
The ACO will release a report on the meeting in the near future. Visit alliance-aco.ca for more information.
The CHVI brings together five Government of Canada Departments/Agencies and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation to advance progress on HIV vaccine research and development efforts. It also contributes to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission. The establishment of the CHVI Research and Development Alliance Coordinating Office (ACO) at the International Centre of Infectious Diseases in Winnipeg in 2011 has facilitated information exchange, collaboration and coordination across diverse national and international research efforts.