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Microbicides Research Working Group (MRWG)

Mission

The need for new, effective HIV biomedical prevention strategies to stem the global HIV/AIDS epidemic is urgent. The development of these novel strategies, such as microbicides, presents complex research and development challenges and requires broad collaboration and strategic direction. The NIH Office of AIDS Research (OAR) has established the Microbicides Research Working Group (MRWG), an independent external panel of experts, to advise NIH and other government and non-governmental entities that support microbicide research and development. It is a critical time for the microbicide field, with fresh scientific opportunities and new potential classes and targets awaiting exploration and advancement. It is essential for this group to provide thoughtful consensus about basic science, translational research, and how best to proceed to bring these candidate products through the pipeline.

A number of recent activities have brought attention and focus to the field, including the NIH Microbicide Strategic Plan, the Microbicide Development Strategy sponsored by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and led by the Alliance for Microbicide Development, and the Clinical Trials Working Group established by the Microbicide Donors' Committee. With those as foundation, the MRWG will serve a fresh, critical, and unique role in providing neutral strategic direction and advice regarding the microbicide pipeline, pre-clinical and clinical research programs, and overall priorities for the field. The MRWG will:

Structure and Administration

Members

Ashley Haase, M.D.
Chair
University of Minnesota Medical School

Judith D. Auerbach, Ph.D.
San Francisco AIDS Foundation

Charles Carpenter, M.D.
Brown University

Dr. Nomita K. Chandhiok
Indian Council of Medical Research

Janet H. Darbyshire, OBE, FRCP
Medical Research Council

Polly F. Harrison, Ph.D.
Alliance for Microbicide Development

Edward W. Hook III, M.D.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham

Christopher J. Miller, D.V.M, Ph.D.
California National Primate Research Center

Neal Nathanson, M.D.
University of Pennsylvania

Professor Helen V. Rees
Witwatersand Reproductive Health and HIV Research Unit

Renee Ridzon, M.D.
Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Steven G. Self, Ph.D.
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center
University of Washington

Gina M. Brown, M.D.
Executive Secretary
OAR Microbicide Research Coordinator

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