European AIDS Conference brings cutting-edge HIV science to London for the first hybrid event, 27 - 30 October 2021
London 21 October: the European AIDS Clinical Society (EACS) will be holding the 18th European AIDS Conference (EAC) in both online and face-to-face formats at the ICC, ExCeL in London, from October 27 - 30. This hybrid biennial conference aims to share lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on HIV services across the world and to get the HIV response back on track to achieve the elimination of HIV/AIDS as a global public health threat in the next decade.
Under the theme "Crossing borders," EAC will be a hub for the exchange of cutting-edge science, showcasing innovations in clinical care and supporting partnership working in HIV. In addition to the scientific programme, the conference will provide an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of communities impacted by both HIV and COVID. Panels from the UK AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display to delegates and the public throughout the conference.
Ending the HIV epidemic in London, EAC Opening Ceremony, 26 October, 17.45 hrs to 18.30 hrs: will centre on London's lead in the race to eliminate HIV, with a keynote speech by Professor Kevin Fenton, NHS London Regional Director of Public Health and Co-Chair of the London Fast-Track Cities initiative. The UK capital has already succeeded in reaching UNAIDS initial goals, achieving 95 per cent of people diagnosed, 95% of whom are on HIV treatment and 95% of those on treatment with an undetectable level of the HIV virus in their blood, meaning that they cannot pass on HIV to others sexually. London aims to be the first city to reach zero new HIV infections, zero preventable HIV-related deaths and zero HIV stigma by 2030. For more on Fast-Track Cities London see: https://fasttrackcities.london
COVID-19 and HIV, Thursday 28 October:plenaries on Thursday 28 October will explore the relationship between SARS-CoV-2 and HIV vaccinology, looking at how what we've learnt from the pandemic could help in the future technical development of potential HIV vaccines: https://eacs2021.abstractserver.com/program/#/details/sessions/76.
There will also be updates on Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) and its implementation, the progress in eliminating co-infection of HIV and the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and a report on treatment and care for women living with HIV, an all too often overlooked cohort, presented by an EACS working group, Women Against Viruses in Europe (WAVE).
Long-acting antiretroviral treatment (ART), HIV cure and the impact of COVID-19 on HIV care across Europe, Friday 29 October: speakers will cover developments in long-acting drugs against HIV, going from a daily tablet to monthly or bi-monthly injections/implants and beyond. There will also be a session exploring new HIV cure strategies, looking particularly at immunotherapies which target reservoirs of the HIV virus and an overview of the impact of COVID on the cascade of HIV care across Europe and innovations in tele-health services:https://eacs2021.abstractserver.com/program/#/program/3/horizontal
HIV Cure research (bNAbs); evaluation of viral reservoirs, Saturday 30 October: a session looking at the applications of monoclonal broadly neutralising antibodies (bNAbs), from vaccine to HIV cure research, will be followed by an overview of the methodology that can be used to assess HIV reservoirs in clinical HIV cure trials.https://eacs2021.abstractserver.com/program/#/details/sessions/74
Update to EACS Guidelinesfor Europe-wide HIV treatment will be shared before best poster awards and closing remarks.
For further information, see full EA daily Scientific Programme via this link:https://eacs2021.abstractserver.com/program/#/program/1/horizontal
Contact EACS Media team:media@eacsociety.orgor call Jo Josh +44 (0) 7 306 39 18 75 or Tom Hayes +44 (0) 7 475 86 86 14