Collaboration with industry
It is envisaged that pharmaceutical and diagnostic companies and other
organizations, will wish to use the database to help address more complex
questions. This is likely to fall outside the scope of the rqf user-interface
with its menu of queries. In addition, we are seeking contributions
in the form of data and financial support from the private sector. We
have therefore developed a framework of different mutually beneficial
ways in which industry and the RDI can work together, which are described
in the Prospectus for Corporate Support and Research
Collaboration.
Companies are also invited to discuss collaborative research projects
with RDI on a fee-for-service basis.
Shared research projects
It is envisaged that the work conducted by the RDI will produce new
research leads in terms of the genotypic basis of HIV drug resistance
and the impact on virological response to therapy. For example, new
mutations, or interactions between mutations, may be identified that
influence drug susceptibility. The RDI is committed to exploring the
genetic basis of HIV drug resistance with different clades of HIV (i.e.
non-B) and in different settings. For example, it is the intention of
the RDI to help to develop a greater understanding of HIV drug resistance
in resource-poor settings, such as in sub-Saharan Africa, where there
is a significant risk of sub-optimal use of antiretroviral therapy leading
to the rapid emergence of resistance and where resources for the detection
and monitoring of resistance are severely restricted.
The research undertaken by the RDI, alone or in collaboration, will
result in new research leads, which will be shared with the RDI's research
collaborators.
Validation programmes
In addition, the database could be used to validate algorithms, for
example on behalf of regulatory bodies. Again this would involve the
RDI working alongside the client organization as a research partner.
