Radboudumc receives grant to improve HIV treatment in newborns Consortium develops appropriate dosage of broadly neutralizing antibodies

Researchers from Radboud university medical center receive a European (EDCTP) grant in a consortium of European, African, and American researchers to improve HIV treatment in newborns. The mortality rate in the first year remains alarmingly high (10%), especially among babies who face additional infections. 

Children with HIV in their first year of life have a four to nine times higher chance of dying compared to adults living with HIV. Effective HIV treatment for newborns with HIV infection is crucial to prevent death in the first year. Currently, only half of the children born with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa receive timely adequate treatment, and the mortality rate in the first year remains alarmingly high (10%), especially among babies who face additional infections. 

"Broadly neutralizing antibodies" can rapidly suppress HIV during the most vulnerable period of these children’s lives. A new consortium will develop the appropriate dosage of these antibodies for newborns. A single administration of these antibodies, along with standard treatment, can protect a child for several months. If successfully applied, we expect fewer secondary infections, HIV-related brain damage, and deaths in this vulnerable group. The ENABLE project is being carried out in South Africa, Mozambique, and Cameroon in collaboration with several American and European research centers, including Radboud university medical center. A total of 6.2 million euros is available from the European Union as part of the EDCTP3 global health program.
Radboudumc is responsible for the pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamic analyses from the Radboud Applied Pharmacometrics group, with the involved researchers Simon Koele, Tom Jacobs, and Rob ter Heine.

Ter Heine: 'There is still a lot of unnecessary mortality among newborns with HIV. We are proud to contribute to the application of long-acting monoclonal antibodies for the treatment and prevention of HIV in newborns as a solution to this issue.'