Search for a Cure!

READ THE FULL TRANSCRIPT AND SEE THE PHOTOS FROM THIS MEETING BY CLICKING HERE

In light of the development of the antibody field, and since the MA Department of Public Health State Laboratory is the only public facility capable of producing consumer grade antibodies, we have decided jointly with the Department to host a scientific discussion of some of the nations opinion leaders in the world of antibodies and HIV. 

• We hope to discover what is really going on in the field? 
• What these experts have learned in their personal research? 
• How the state can prepare for implementing usage of these medicines if they are proven to be effective? 
• If the state's facilities for antibody production can be of any value in the research and development process? 
• What barriers there are to turning this research into effective medicine for real people?  and How we will overcome those barriers?

This meeting is the first step in a long and promising process.  We hope to share what we learn  from the discussion with our web community and through a teach-in with our friends at Aids Project Los Angeles later this year. 

Thank you to those experts willing to attend our discussion.

Dinner will be provided by friend and food enthusiast Managing Chef Lateef Hassan of Corporate Chefs, Inc. 

For those attending the Meeting details are as follows:

When: Friday January 13, 2012      5:30PM-9:00PM

Where: The William A. Hinton State Laboratory  

If you believe your experience in the field of antibodies warrants your participation in this meeting please do not hesitate to contact Chris via email using This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it for registration details. 

Talking Points:

A. The 3 antibodies in various stages of trials for treatment of HIV and potentially for use as a prophylactic agent for HIV.  A Comparison of the data to date on each, mechanisms of action, issues concerning potential immunosuppressive potential in use, potential advantages of the antibodies as mono-therapies, part of cocktails, use as protecting drug failure, use in delaying need for ARV usage etc.

B. The various impediments to the use of mAb's in therapy; delivery systems, stability, costs of production, side effects, FDA regulations, adequate investments in research including NIH money.

C. What is needed to expedite the use of mAb's in therapeutic contexts e.g. HIV, arthritis and other autoimmune scenarios, other cell to cell viral infections.

D. The focus, objectives and results thus far of the national Antibody Society and the extent ot which it is encouraging the developments of mAb's for HIV.

E. What role the Commonwealth of Mssachusetts might play in helping with the development of these antibodies given its unique capacity to manufacture antibodies. 

F. Future meetings of the group

WHO: