Microbicides 2004 Microbicides 200428-31 March 2004, Hilton London MetropoleThe conference42 million men, women and children worldwide were living with HIV by the end of December 2002 (source: UNAIDS), including five million newly-infected during that year alone. Another 45 million people will become infected between 2002 and 2010, unless the current transmission rates can be vastly reduced. Of the 42 million, 29.4 million live in sub-Saharan Africa and 58% of them are women. Not only are women more susceptible to HIV infection, many are powerless to insist on the use of condoms or other methods of protecting themselves. In this context, and with the knowledge that an effective HIV vaccine is unlikely to be available for several years, the need for an effective topical microbicide grows ever more urgent. 2004 should prove to be a landmark year in the field of microbicide development as the first Phase III trials of novel products are due to start – the next step along the road to making a microbicide available to the millions worldwide in desperate need of protection.The aims of the Microbicides 2004 conference are to:Report novel or innovative work in the microbicides fieldProvide updates on recent microbicides research, divided into three tracks: basic science, clinical science, and behavioural science (including public health and the microbicide marketplace)Provide a forum for the discussion of new developments in microbicide research including ethical, clinical, behavioural and methodological issuesPresent opportunities for knowledge-sharing between microbicide researchers, public-health workers and advocacy organisations.There will be an opening ceremony on the evening of Sunday 28 March at which politicians, policy makers and the international media are expected. The conference will run for a full three days, each of which will contain:Scientific overviews and presentations with plenary sessions, invited lecturers and presentations of original researchWorkshops to review issues unique to microbicides such as trial design and outcome measures, and ethical issues in the clinical trials of microbicidesPoster sessions. Focus on LondonFollowing the successful Microbicides conferences in Washington in 2000 and Antwerp in 2002, March 2004 sees the focus move to London.The venue is the Hilton Metropole Hotel, two minutes by taxi from Paddington station and the Heathrow Express, with a journey time from the airport of 15 minutes. The hotel is in walking distance of Hyde Park and London’s main shopping streets, and close to Imperial College. Accommodation will be available at the venue and other hotels in the vicinity.London in March offers a variety of diversions for out-of-conference relaxation, including sight-seeing and shopping; the arts and the theatre; and pubs, clubs and restaurants to suit every taste. Conference staff will be on hand to help delegates plan their spare time.To book your place or find out more information, e-mail info@microbicides2004.org.uk or telephone the Event Office on +44 (0) 20 7720 4411
Oral: invited speaker Oral: Track A Oral: Track B Oral: Track C Poster: Track A Poster: Track B Poster: Track C Abstract only Authors

02694 HIV TREATMENTS, MICROBICIDES AND VACCINES: ADVANCING A RIGHTS-BASED AGENDA FOR RESEARCH, DEVELOPMENT AND ACCESS

Patterson, David*
Godwin, J.**, Elliott, R.*
*Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, **Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations

Description: Since 2000 the organization has explored commonalities between HIV vaccine and treatment advocates (and, more recently, microbicides), drawing on international law and the right to health to advance respective agendas. Initiatives have included satellite meetings at international AIDS conferences in Durban (2000) and Barcelona (2002), as well as an international expert meeting on HIV vaccines in Montreal in April 2002. Commonalities include: human rights arguments for assuring developing world access to effective HIV treatments, vaccines and microbicides as they are developed; increasing political will to address the epidemic; assuring increased overall funding; resolving intellectual property issues that may impede private sector investment in treatments and prevention technologies and that may impede access to technologies developed, particularly in developing countries; improved regulatory and approval mechanisms for new treatments and prevention technologies; improving the distribution of and access to medications and existing vaccines; improved community understanding of HIV/AIDS treatments and prevention technologies; and treatments for persons infected in the course of clinical trials.

Results: In November 2003 a research paper which identifies opportunities for collaboration on priority issues was presented at an international expert consultation in Montreal. At this meeting participants prepared a model advocacy action plan with methods and issues for joint work in 2004-2006. In early 2004, the finalized discussion paper and the action plan will be disseminated widely in English, French and Spanish, including to 500 organizations working on related issues in both developed and developing countries.

Patterson, David
c/o Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, 417 Saint-Pierre St, Montreal, Quebec, H2Y 2M4, Canada
(Telephone) (514) 282 6362 (Fax) (514) 397 8570 (E-mail) david.patterson@videotron.ca