6th Framework Programme
Integrated Projects
Project number: LSHB-CT-2003-503480
Project Period: 01.01.2004 - 30.06.2007
Project Coordinator
Prof. Myriam Witvrouw
Steering Board
Prof. Myriam Witvrouw (K.U.Leuven)
Prof. José A. Esté (IrsiCaixa)
Prof. Jean Luc Darlix ( INSERM-ENS)
Prof. Jaume Vilarrasa (Univ. de Barcelona)
Prof. Zeger Debyser (K.U.Leuven)
Dr. Jean-Christophe Rain (Hybrigenics S.A.)
Dr. Nils Gunnar Johansson (Medivir AB)
The TRIoH Advisory Board
Representative of Bristol-Myers Squibb: Inmaculada Parrondo, Director of Scientific Department
Representative of Gilead Pharmaceutical: Dr. Esther Aznar, Director Medical Affairs, European Operations
Representative of Trimeris Pharmaceutical: Dr. Diego Miralles, Medical Director
Dr. Douglas Richman, Centre for AIDS Research (CFAR), San Diego, USA
Dr. Daniel Kuritzkes, Harvard School of Medicine, Boston, USA
Dr. Jonathan Shapiro, Stanford University School of Medicine, California, USA
Coordination
Prof. Myriam Witvrouw (coordinator - K.U.Leuven)
Dr. Bruno Hoste (valorisation manager -K.U.Leuven) (left in february 2006)
Peter Bogaerts (scientific administrator - K.U.Leuven) (since january 2006)
K.U.Leuven Research & Development (K.U.Leuven)
Accountancy and Financing
K.U.Leuven Research & Development (K.U.Leuven)
Intellectual Propery Management
K.U.Leuven Research & Development (K.U.Leuven)
Dr. Bruno Hoste (valorisation manager - K.U.Leuven) (left)
The major goal of TRIoH is an integrated approach to develop novel anti-HIV drugs ready for early clinical trials that are safe (full pre-clinical evaluation) and more effective, since targeting novel replication steps (integration, cellular factors) or based on novel chemical entities. Effectiveness lies also in potent combinations and potency against drug-resistant strains. Acceleration of development requires funding as an IP to bring together all required expertise (both technological and scientific) to establish a concerted anti-HIV drug development program throughout Europe.
Since retroviruses are the only human pathogens that rely on integration in the human chromosome as part of their normal life cycle, the call for Novel antiviral therapeutic molecules targeting viral replication and integration, is specifically and completely addressed by our IP targeting HIV replication and integration.
TRIOH will focus on the development of new anti-HIV leads, including the pre-clinical testing and predicts to be ready for clinical trials of the most promising candidates. There is a close interaction of all involved scientific fields (chemistry, modelling, genomics, virology, structural biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, cell biology, biotechnology, pharmacology, toxicology) and an integration of research laboratories, clinical centers and pharmaceutical industry.
WP1: ENTRY INHIBITORS: Prof. José A. Esté
WP2: NUCLEOCAPSID INHIBITORS: Prof. Jean Luc Darlix
WP3: NEW GENERATION REVERSE TRANSCRIPTASE INHIBITORS: Prof. Jaume Vilarrasa
WP4: INTEGRASE INHIBITORS: Prof. Myriam Witvrouw
WP5: NEW TARGET VALIDATION: Prof. Zeger Debyser
Depending on their area of expertise, participants in the consortium belong to one or more of 7 complementary disciplines necessary to achieve the project objectives:
All 7 disciplines are represented in each of the 5 Work Packages that conform the TRIoH consortium mentioned above.
- Computer-based target-drug modelling
- Analytical chemistry
- Antiviral drug screening platforms
- Specialised virus research laboratories
- Specialised molecular virology laboratories
- Animal models of HIV infection
- Chemistry and pharmaceutical enterprises with special interest and active research in antiviral drug development.
TRIoH is convinced that the AIDS pandemic warrants an integrated an concerted research effort for the development of novel therapeutics. However, the AIDS pandemic requires multi-targeted efforts involving politics, economics, social issues, prevention, education etc. The Training program proposed will, next to a scientific core attempt to touch these issues since TRIoH wants to “deliver” trained scientists with a perspective for global health problems and with an open mind.
Since TRIoH realises that it will perform research with EU community funding, TRIoH understands the necessity of a return to society. Apart from the content of its research, that has-as described above-a potential huge social and societal impact for 40 million people already infected with HIV, TRIoH will be in touch with society as follows:
- The scientific community will be addressed by scientific publications in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at international meetings (scientific dissemination); TRIoH is aware that not all people have access to (expensive) journals; therefore reprint mailing on request and access to publications on the TRIoH website will be established
- Subsite for communication with the general public (popularization).
Content:
- Information on TRIoH (who are we, what are we doing,what are the results)
- TRIoH publications
- Background information about HIV drug development (divided in information for scientists and general public)
- Information on TRIoH training program with special interest for gender issues
- Helpdesk by e-mail
- Links to other HIV-, AIDS-related sites
- The information made available at our website will also be disseminated through popular publications (brochure)
- TRIoH members will actively advocate the AIDS problem and provide correct and understandable information to the public on media events (TV interviews, scientific programs, Science sections in Newspapers and magazines). Media coverage will be collected (and supervised) centrally by the over-all coordinator. Items can be used for discussion during TRIoH training sessions. Correct information on ethical issues, biosafety and biotechnology to the public will be provided.
- Participation in local programs directed at narrowing the gap between scientists and public, but also directed toward aspirant students. These programs do involve lab visits and demonstrations. A general video (or CDROM) of the work carried out at the different TRIoH labs throughout Europe will be made and presented to the general public.
- TRIoH will launch an initiative towards AIDS in Africa. Media coverage should increase the public awareness of the problems of the developing world.
Women are directly involved in the scientific management of the project. The over-all coordinator is a woman: Myriam Witvrouw; in the scientific partnership as scientific team leaders in the project.
- % of women scientists involved in the project:
- Early researchers (less than 4 years after graduate) 55 %
- Experienced researchers (minimum 4 years after graduate or having a PhD) 40 %
- Action plan indicating actions and activities that will be developed to promote the role of women as participants in the project.
Based on a internal survey following issues were indicated as problematic by women scientists participating in TRIoH.
* Difficulties in career process of women due to burden of children and family, this coincide with end stage PhD, early postdoc
Solution: TRIoH will promote flexibility in working hours, home working (paper writing, administration), part time work, dependent on national social security systems, there will be a general willingness to be supportive for family related measures. Time spent for maternity leave and child care will be taken into account (extension of fellowship). The same measures will be taken for fathers taking care of children.
* TRIoH is convinced that an equal mix of women and men is an added value for the research consortium since both sexes have different qualities that work synergistic. It is our conviction that men and women are equal but not identical.
The same is true for age dimensions. Both young and older people have their specific contributions to a programm. The dynamism of the young ones has to be combined with expertise and wisdom of the older ones.
Copyright © Katholieke Universiteit Leuven | reacties op de inhoud: Peter Bogaerts
Realisatie: Bruno Hoste| Laatste wijziging:
25-01-2007
URL: http://www.kuleuven.be/molvirgen/projects/trioh/projecttr.htm
EUROPEAN COMMISSION
