SANTHE SCIENTISTS NET AIDSFONDS SIDACTION HIV CURE GRANTS

Five members of the SANTHE network have been awarded Aidsfonds Sidaction HIV Cure Research Awards. These awards support innovative, collaborative research aimed at accelerating progress toward a sustainable and scalable cure for HIV.

Judie Magura, SANTHE Collaborative Awardee and Post-doctoral Fellow based at the Africa Health Research Institute (AHRI) in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (pictured above left), was given €499,489 to lead a tri-continental research consortium, including South Africa, Kenya and the Netherlands, to investigate humoral signatures associated with HIV control. Her project focuses on a unique group of women known as post-treatment controllers, who participated in the first HIV cure interventional trial conducted in Africa, and are able to maintain low viral levels for extended periods without daily antiretroviral therapy following specialised antibody treatment. This research addresses two critical gaps in HIV cure science: the lack of data on HIV-1 subtype C, the most prevalent form of the virus globally, and the persistent underrepresentation of African women in cure research. By studying B cell and antibody dynamics in these women, the project aims to identify immune signatures that can predict and sustain viral suppression, contributing to the development of durable, ART-free remission strategies.

Reflecting on her award, she said, “I am ecstatic to have received this award. Assuming the role of Principal Investigator for this project is personally and professionally transformative; it allows me to direct research focussed on the health needs of the community where I was raised, while changing the narrative of where leadership in global health resides. I am honoured to lead this incredible team as we work toward a future where a scalable HIV cure is a reality for everyone.” Beyond its scientific contribution, the project represents a significant shift in the leadership of high-level HIV cure research toward the Global South, while supporting mentorship and capacity strengthening for the next generation of African scientific leaders.

Underscoring the strength, diversity, and collaborative spirit of the network, a second Aidsfonds–Sidaction HIV Cure Research Award supports a collaboration lead by John de Wit, Utrecht University/Amsterdam University Medical Center, Netherlands, and five SANTHE scientists: Victoria Kasprowicz, SANTHE Director of Strategic Partnerships, South Africa (pictured above second left); Elise van der Elst, SANTHE Scientific Innovation Awardee and social scientist at Utrecht University, Netherlands (pictured above middle); Rujeko Chidawanyika, SANTHE Path-to-Independence Awardee and social scientist at AHRI, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa (pictured above second right); and Eduard Sanders, SANTHE Consortium Steering Committee member and specialist scientist at The Aurum Institute, Johannesburg, South Africa (pictured above right). Together, they lead a project entitled, Assessing Understanding of paRticipant perspectives in Ongoing Research on HIV cure in Africa (AURORA).

With a total budget of €555,555, AURORA brings together African and European partners to address a critical bottleneck in HIV cure research, ensuring that biomedical innovation is matched by meaningful participant understanding, ethical engagement, and sustained community trust.

Central to the project is the co-creation and validation of a culturally relevant socio-behavioural measurement tool designed to assess cognitive and emotional understanding of HIV cure research, particularly analytical treatment interruptions (ATIs), across diverse African settings. Findings will inform participant-centred communication materials, ethics guidance, and community engagement strategies to strengthen the design and conduct of future HIV cure trials.

Beyond its scientific objectives, the AURORA project places strong emphasis on capacity strengthening and leadership development, embedding training and mentorship opportunities for African behavioural scientists within ongoing HIV cure research. By centring participants lived realities and co-creating research tools with communities, the project strengthens the ethical integrity, scientific robustness, and real-world relevance of HIV cure studies. Reflecting on the award, Rujeko Chidawanyika shared, “For too long, social science and behavioural insights have been overlooked in biomedical research. This funding will contribute significantly to HIV cure science in Africa, showing a meaningful shift toward research that truly engages and respects communities.”

These Sidaction awards highlight the growing impact of SANTHE in shaping cutting-edge HIV research and fostering collaborations that address some of the most complex challenges in global health. The success of the SANTHE scientists involved reflects both individual scientific excellence and the strength of SANTHE’s collaborative research environment.

Congratulations to all five SANTHE awardees and their collaborating partners on this outstanding achievement. We look forward to the important contributions your work will make to the global pursuit of an HIV cure.