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New not-for-profit organization launched to combat HIV resistance
RDI web site launched at www.hivrdi.org
LONDON, UK -Tuesday 4th March, 2003. A new independent
not-for-profit organization, RDI Ltd, has been formed to lead an international
collaboration to combat HIV drug resistance and improve the clinical
outlook for people with HIV/AIDS. The organisation was formed and is
steered by the global network of scientists who originally developed
the concept of the HIV Resistance Response Database Initiative (RDI)
to pioneer a new approach to HIV resistance.
The RDI, is collecting clinical data from thousands of HIV patients
around the world into a database. Artificial intelligence is then used
on the data to define the complex ways changes in HIV's genetic code,
for example, can determine whether a patient will respond to certain
drugs. The radical new approach could enhance the ability of physicians
to choose the most effective drugs for their patients and improve their
prognosis.
"The establishment of our initiative as an independent, not-for-profit
organisation is helping us collect the data and secure the support we
need to define the link between resistance and treatment response more
accurately", commented Professor Julio Montaner, a member of the
RDI Scientific Core Group and Professor of Medicine and Chair in AIDS
Research, University of British Columbia, Canada.
Having secured funding covering its set-up and initial operation the
RDI is now seeking longer-term funding and collaboration with a range
of research institutions, pharmaceutical companies and other organisations.
"I would urge institutions and companies to get involved with this
important initiative now, at the start, urged Dr Montaner. "By
contributing data and providing financial support they can be part of
an important global effort to overcome HIV resistance".
Today also sees the launch of the RDI's new web site at www.hivrdi.org.
The site provides information on the organisation, its research, initial
results, the services it intends to provide, funding, collaborators
and other information.
"The new web site provides a pretty comprehensive introduction
to the group and the approach we are taking to address the problem of
HIV drug resistance", stated RDI Chief Executive, Dr Andrew Revell.
"In time we hope that the site will act as a portal for the exchange
of data and for scientists to submit specific HIV resistance queries
to the database in the course of their research."
One of the main reasons why HIV treatment fails is that mutations in
the genetic code of HIV cause resistance to HIV drugs. Tests are already
available to read these genetic changes. The RDI database is designed
to enhance the predictive power of such tests by relating genetic changes
in HIV directly to virological response to drug therapy, using the largest
collection of clinical data of its kind in the world.
There are already several organisations involved in or working with
the RDI including the BC Center for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver,
Canada, US Military HIV Research Group, intramural scientists from the
US National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and the University
of Siena, Italy, as well as a number of individual researchers. The
group is actively seeking other organisations with appropriate data
to participate in this unique global initiative.
"The key to success of this initiative is the amount of clinical
data in the database", commented Dr Brendan Larder, Chair of the
RDI Scientific Core Group. "While no one company or organisation
can generate enough on its own, the RDI represents a unique opportunity
for individuals institutions and companies around the world to share
their data and I am delighted that it is gathering such momentum."
Background
RDI Limited is registered in the UK as a not-for-profit company limited
by guarantee and with no share capital. The RDI is headquartered in
London UK, with research based in Cambridge, UK. The data provided to
the RDI does not contain any information relating to patient identity,
so confidentiality is absolutely assured.
The RDI Scientific Core Group comprises the following scientists and
clinicians:
| 1. Brendan Larder |
Cambridge, UK, Chair |
| 2. Victor DeGruttola |
Harvard School of Public Health, Boston, MA, USA |
| 3. Richard Harrigan |
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada |
| 4. Julio Montaner |
BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS, Vancouver, BC, Canada |
| 5. Scott Wegner |
US Military HIV/AIDS Program, Washington, DC, USA |
| 6. Maurizio Zazzi |
HIV Monitoring Service, University of Siena, Italy |
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