“The search for a vaccine began the moment HIV was first identified over 35 years ago, but there have been many challenges along the way due to the unique properties of this virus, including its global genetic diversity,” said Johan Van Hoof, M.D., Global Therapeutic Area Head, Vaccines, and Managing Director, Janssen Vaccines & Prevention B.V., Janssen Pharmaceuticals NV. The Undetectable Equals Untransmitable (U=U) campaign, Treatment as Prevention, and the addition of PrEP and PEP have helped prevent new infections. However, there are still some pockets with high rates of HIV infection in some parts of the US.
Each year the United States tolerates 35,000 new HIV infections, with the highest burden in urban and rural communities particularly among men who have sex with men and transgender individuals. Therefore, “We must do better because the prevention tool-box needs to be expanded for an AIDS free generation” says Shobha Swaminathan, MD, Principal Investigator for Rutgers New Jersey Medical School Clinical Research Center (NJMS CRC). Rutgers NJMS CRC has been selected as the only site in New Jersey to conduct the HIV Vaccine study, MOSAICO. The study is an international effort with 55 clinical research sites in South America, the U.S., and Europe. MOSAICO is testing a promising vaccine combination to prevent HIV acquisition in men who have sex with men and transgender individuals who have sex with cisgender men.
Rutgers NJMS CRC, also known as Research with a Heart, has been a pioneer in the state, providing access to cutting edge HIV Therapeutic and Prevention Research for almost 15 years as a site funded by the National Institutes of Health. The site has successfully enrolled participants in HIV Treatment and HIV Prevention Studies.
“While we are making encouraging progress in preventing new HIV infections, the development of a safe and effective HIV vaccine would be the ultimate game-changer” says Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. Therefore, it is exciting that
Rutgers NJMS CRC has been selected as the only site in New Jersey to conduct the new phase 3 HIV Vaccine study, MOSAICO. The study is an international effort with 55 clinical research sites in South America, the U.S., and Europe. MOSAICO is testing a promising vaccine combination to prevent HIV acquisition in men who have sex with men and transgender individuals who have sex with cisgender men.
Dr. Swaminathan shares that the MOSAICO trial is providing a unique opportunity for vulnerable populations in Newark and the State of NJ to participate in answering the question if a Vaccine could be a prevention option in the future. Travis Love, Community Educator at Rutgers NJMS CRC, shared “We want people to understand we are Research with a Heart. Although MOSAICO is one research study at our site, we also do treatment trials and we have a research community advisory board that meets monthly. It’s about moving the research forward” said Love.
In anticipation of launching MOSAICO, the Rutgers NJMS CRC Community Engagement Team is hosting a Gallery Night at the Pride Center in collaboration with ArtFront Galleries to celebrate National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Recently awarded by the 2019 Newark Pride Awards, the Community Engagement Team builds relationships outside the clinic’s walls so that the community feels encouraged, safe and able to come back for referrals and information on resources. “We ensure people are adequately represented in clinical trials. We want to empower the voices of Newark,” continues Love. The team is deeply committed to community engagement and education.
It is this harmony of cutting-edge science with effective community engagement that is at the core of the Rutgers NJMS CRC mission.
