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Target2Cure: a novel investigative approach feat. Amsterdam University Medical Centre on curative HIV strategies

The project is developed by a new multi-center public-private partnership called Target2Cure which includes, among others, the Amsterdam University Medical Centre. It focuses on innovative approaches to investigate novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic approaches that can contribute to the development of curative HIV strategies. Its main objective is the characterization of the dormant HIV in latently-infected immune cells – the so-called HIV reservoir – and their removal with a combination of small molecules and antibodies. The unique characteristic of the antiviral DDX3 inhibitors that contrast viral replication without any resistance issues, stimulate latent cells reactivation and induce selective cell death of HIV infected cells, represents a promising strategy to eradicate the virus. As such the compounds of First Health Pharmaceuticals’ HIV pipeline and their potential to contrast HIV reservoirs formation and maintenance will play an important role in the project. Various laboratory and clinically relevant models will be included in the projects such as sample from people living with HIV (PLWHIV) and animal models.