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HANC Goes to Peru for HIV R4P

October 6 - 10, 2024 | Lima, Peru

The colors, the flavors, the science, the people! HIV R4P in Lima, Peru was an affair to remember. It was the first HIV R4P for Brian Minalga, who represented HANC at the conference. Brian had the opportunity to present during a training for the IAS Journalist Fellows on Day 1 of the conference—the fellows were very interested in responsible reporting on issues faced by sexual and gender minorities. Later in the conference, Brian supported Dr. Carl Dieffenbach in AVAC's Advocates Corner, where folks engaged in dialogue about the future of HIV research. Brian also hung out with HANC collaborator, Dr. Lance Okeke, who was presenting a poster in collaboration with HANC on engaging with HBCUs.

Brian's big day came on the last day of the conference, where they presented the Trans Inclusion Scorecard on a panel titled, "Policy and Legal Barriers to HIV Services." This presentation was particularly dynamic; Brian was updating the presentation in real time at R4P as new data came in from the Impower-24 and PURPOSE 2 studies, which increased trans and gender-diverse representation in milestone HIV studies from 0.96% to 1.4%! Colleagues and friends at AVAC were there in full support, quoting Brian in their own reporting on the conference. AVAC had quite a presence of their own, including launching The People's Research Agenda, which calls for more meaningful community involvement in the future of HIV prevention research.

When they weren't on stage or at a mic, Brian was found soaking up the science of long-acting HIV prevention drugs, bnAbs (so many bnAbs!!), the continued relevance of HIV vaccine research, choice in prevention, and HIV molecular epidemiology—including a focus on the SESAME Study, of which Brian is a member of the Stakeholder Advisory Committee.

Outside of the conference, Brian found some time to enjoy oodles of ceviche (more leche de tigre, por favor!), seafood rice, several thousand varieties of potatoes (mmm, causa!), and the best chocolate. As it was said in the conference closing plenary, we left with full minds, full hearts, and full stomachs.

“Trans people are giving our blood, our bodies, our time, and we need to make sure that findings from clinical trials-the right to science-right to benefit from science comes back to us when we participate."

Brian Minalga, HANC Deputy Director

Compelling Science at HIV R4P 2024

Session on continued relevance of HIV Vaccine Research
Session on continued relevance of HIV Vaccine Research
Session on broadly neutralizing antibodies including a great superhero analogy from Louis Shackelford!
Session on broadly neutralizing antibodies including a great superhero analogy from Louis Shackelford!
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo speaks to the community at the AVAC launch of The People’s Research Agenda.
Dr. Jeanne Marrazzo speaks to the community at the AVAC launch of The People’s Research Agenda.
Brian presents for the journalist fellows on challenges for LGBTQ populations in the current political environment, alongside Andrew Mujugira from Makerere University in Uganda and Gianna Camacho García from Lima, Peru.
Brian presents for the journalist fellows on challenges for LGBTQ populations in the current political environment, alongside Andrew Mujugira from Makerere University in Uganda and Gianna Camacho García from Lima, Peru.
Anne Philpott on the centrality of sexual pleasure in all that we do!
Anne Philpott on the centrality of sexual pleasure in all that we do!
Interim Analysis results from the PURPOSE 2 study indicated that twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention reduced HIV acquisitions by 96% and had superiority to daily F/TDF for HIV prevention. Even more amazing is this study’s inclusiveness! PURPOSE 2 enrolled HIV-negative cisgender gay, bisexual and other men, trans women, trans men and gender non-binary individuals across the globe who have sex with partners assigned male at birth. Lenacapavir could be a powerful HIV prevention tool across all genders.
Interim Analysis results from the PURPOSE 2 study indicated that twice-yearly injectable lenacapavir for HIV prevention reduced HIV acquisitions by 96% and had superiority to daily F/TDF for HIV prevention. Even more amazing is this study’s inclusiveness! PURPOSE 2 enrolled HIV-negative cisgender gay, bisexual and other men, trans women, trans men and gender non-binary individuals across the globe who have sex with partners assigned male at birth. Lenacapavir could be a powerful HIV prevention tool across all genders.
“The persistent chasm between PrEP awareness and uptake: characterizing the biomedical HIV prevention continuum in a nationwide cohort of transgender women in the United States“ presented by Erin Cooney from Johns Hopkins.
“The persistent chasm between PrEP awareness and uptake: characterizing the biomedical HIV prevention continuum in a nationwide cohort of transgender women in the United States“ presented by Erin Cooney from Johns Hopkins.
“At elevated risk within these four walls: expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis to incarcerated males in Zambia“ presented by Musonda Musonda from USAID.
“At elevated risk within these four walls: expanding access to pre-exposure prophylaxis to incarcerated males in Zambia“ presented by Musonda Musonda from USAID.
Brian presents on the final day of R4P during a session entitled “Policy and Legal Barriers to HIV Services.”
Brian presents on the final day of R4P during a session entitled “Policy and Legal Barriers to HIV Services.”

Brian Minalga and Friends at HIV R4P 2024

Pyramid Huaca Pucllana, an ancient temple near the conference venue.

Brian reunites with Lisa Rossi from the Microbicide Trials Network.

Friends enjoy bebidas!

Llamas!

We love the idea of a PrEP playlist! We yearn to see the day when there’s a form of PrEP for every occasion.

Jun Malí (Brian’s Thai name) with friend and advocate Udom Likhitwonnawut.

Pyramid Huaca Pucllana, an ancient temple near the conference venue.

Brian reunites with Lisa Rossi from the Microbicide Trials Network.

Friends enjoy bebidas!

Llamas!

We love the idea of a PrEP playlist! We yearn to see the day when there’s a form of PrEP for every occasion.

Jun Malí (Brian’s Thai name) with friend and advocate Udom Likhitwonnawut.