In this episode of Going Anti-Viral, Rebecca Denison joins host Dr Michael Saag as a follow-up discussion to her Martin Delaney presentation at CROI 2025: 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must. Ms Denison is an HIV-positive writer, educator, mother, and founder of WORLD, Women Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases. Dr Saag and Ms Denison reflect on her history of living with HIV and her 40 + years as an HIV activist. They discuss the impact that recent cuts at USAID and PEPFAR are having international efforts to reduce HIV transmission and the loss in trust in healthcare practitioners since programs have been terminated. They also discuss concerns about cuts to federal funding for HIV care programs in the US and the impact of recent loss of staff expertise at federal agencies. Finally, Dr Saag and Ms Denison ask all care clinicians to share their stories to their communities as a way of becoming advocates for the importance of HIV care.

0:00 – Introduction

2:41 – History of Ms Denison’s activism in HIV and AIDS

4:58 – Discussion of the gap in HIV care since the termination of USAID and PEPFAR contracts

8:29 – The loss of trust in global HIV health care practitioners and stories of growing HIV transmission since funding for care has been terminated

14:24 – Risks of funding cuts to domestic HIV care programs and Medicaid

18:02 – How a younger generation of advocates can learn from the history of HIV activism

19:51 – The message sent by the reorganization of HHS and the dismissal of leading HIV experts

22:06 – How clinicians can be an advocates for HIV care

Watch/Listen to related episodes:

Special Episode YouTube | Apple Podcasts 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must. The Martin Delaney presentation at CROI by Rebecca Denison

Episode 43 YouTube | Apple Podcasts Innovations in HIV Service Delivery with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
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In this episode of Going Anti-Viral, Dr Raymond Schinazi joins host Dr Michael Saag for an in-depth conversation about the development of a cure for hepatitis C. Dr Schinazi, the Frances Winship Walters Professor of Pediatrics and Director of the Laboratory of Biochemical Pharmacology at Emory University, shares insights from his distinguished career in antiviral research and development. He begins by outlining his background and long-standing interest in antiviral therapies, including groundbreaking work in HIV treatment. The conversation then shifts to his pivotal role in the development of sofosbuvir, a breakthrough direct-acting antiviral drug in the cure for hepatitis C, and the importance of NS5A inhibitors in antiviral drug regimens. Dr Schinazi also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at the business and regulatory journey of bringing a transformative therapy to market, reflecting on the personal impact of this milestone. The episode concludes with a discussion of his current research into potential treatments for hepatitis B.

0:00 – Introduction

1:24 – Overview of Dr Schinazi’s background and his interest in antiviral therapy

2:56 – Discussion of Dr Schinazi’s work in the development of antiviral agents for HIV

4:45 – Background on the development of sofosbuvir for the cure of hepatitis C

10:01 – The role of NS5A inhibitors in treatment

12:42 – History of bringing hepatitis C treatment to market

14:25 – Discussion of the effectiveness of NS5A inhibitors

16:49 – The risk of reinfection and review of the basic science behind pharmaceuticals for hepatitis C

18:22 – How the discovery of a hepatitis C cure impacted Dr Schinazi personally

25:16 – Overview of Dr Schinazi’s current research in Hepatitis B

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Graham Hatfull, a Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Pittsburgh. Dr Hatfull joins Dr Saag to discuss Bacteriophages for the treatment of antimicrobial-resistant (AMR) bacterial infections. Dr Hatfull provides an overview of the types of bacteriophages and how they can be used to treat antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. Dr Hatfull and Dr Saag discuss the challenges of treating bacterial infections with phages given the diversity and complexity of the different types of bacteria and bringing phage treatments to scale. Finally, they discuss what research is needed to overcome the challenges of phage treatment and look to the future where technology enables synthetically produced phages to provide targeted therapy to antimicrobial resistant bacteria.

0:00 – Introduction

1:05 – Overview of bacteriophages and Dr Hatfull's interest in phage research

2:46 – How phages can be used clinically for antimicrobial-resistant bacteria

4:34 – Differences between the 2 types of phages: lytic phages and temperate phages

6:01 – How phages are used to target specific types of bacteria

9:37 – The challenge of phage treatment matching and natural CRISPR processes within bacteria

15:16 – Understanding the phage genome diversity

18:59 – Discussion of therapeutic uses of phages

28:32 – Prospect of phages for future treatments including synthetic phages

Resources:

Harnessing the Power of Bacteriophages with Dr Robert Schooley:

• YouTube: https://youtu.be/_BUpDRNhMsQ
• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-10-harnessing-the-power-of-bacteriophages/id1713226144?i=1000647215580

Exploring Bacteriophage Therapy for Drug-Resistant Bacterial Infections Robert T. Schooley, MD: https://www.iasusa.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/31-1-23.pdf

The inaugural Conference on Bacteriophages: Biology, Dynamics, and Therapeutics: https://www.iasusa.org/bacteriophage-conference/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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...

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Annemarie M. Wensing, a Clinical Virologist at the University Medical Center Utrecht and an Honorary Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg. Dr Wensing joins Dr Saag to discuss the recently released IAS–USA 2025 Update of the Drug Resistance Mutations in HIV-1. Dr Wensing discusses the influence of Dr Charles Boucher in developing her interest in the topic of HIV drug resistance and Dr Wensing and Dr Saag provide an overview of HIV drug resistance and testing. Dr Wensing also provides advice to clinicians on how to manage patients who experience drug resistance. Dr Wensing and Dr Saag then discuss an upcoming report soon to be published that addresses the potential role and the important limitations of HIV DNA resistance testing. Finally, they address the topic of drug resistance in the absence of resistance mutations and look ahead to what the future holds for the field of HIV resistance.

0:00 – Introduction

1:30 – Dr Wensing reviews the influence that Dr Charles Boucher played in her development as an investigator and her interest in HIV resistance

2:46 – Discussion of why there is HIV drug resistance

4:48 – Overview of drug resistance testing, genotypes and phenotypes

7:25 – New recommendations from the IAS-USA resistance mutation panel

9:50 – Advice to clinicians on managing drug resistance

16:16 – Discussion of HIV DNA resistance testing

21:26 – Understanding drug failure in the absence of resistance mutations

24:49 – Predictions about the future

Resources:

• IAS–USA Drug Resistance Mutations Chart: https://www.iasusa.org/hiv-drug-resistance/hiv-drug-resistance-mutations/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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X
Facebook
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...

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Izukanji Sikazwe, the Chief Executive Officer for the Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ). Dr Sikazwe joins Dr Saag to provide an overview of her symposium presentation at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) entitled Innovations in HIV Service Delivery: Building a Path Forward with Those Left Behind. Dr Sikazwe discusses her career journey in treatment of HIV in Zambia and her path to CIDRZ. Dr Sikazwe and Dr Saag discuss the history of HIV and AIDS in Zambia and address the impact that PEPFAR had on the disease when it arrived in the country in 2004. They discuss how PEPFAR has operated in Zambia and provide a current overview of the sudden cancellation of USAID contracts on those receiving HIV care and treatment and other health services. Finally, they look ahead given the current disruptions on how Zambia and other countries can move forward to meet the needs of those in need of care.

0:00 – Introduction

1:41 – Dr Sikazwe reviews her path to CIDRZ

5:21 – History of HIV and AIDS in Zambia and discussion of stigma

7:53 – The impact of PEPFAR’s arrival in Zambia and Dr Sikazwe’s personal history with treatment during that time

13:37 – How PEPFAR works in Zambia

16:56 – Impact of recent decision by the US government to cancel USAID contracts

22:31 – Disruption to other health services that USAID has supported in Zambia

23:50 – Response from the government in Zambia

24:46 – Status of HIV in Zambia prior to cancellation of USAID contracts

25:50 – The best-case scenario for people living with HIV globally and closing remarks

Resources:

• CROI 2025: https://www.croiconference.org/
• Centre for Infectious Disease Research in Zambia (CIDRZ): https://www.cidrz.org/
• PEPFAR: https://www.state.gov/pepfar/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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X
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...

This episode of Going anti-Viral, features Rebecca Denison, who gave the Martin Delaney Presentation, entitled 40+ Years of HIV: What’s Changed, What Hasn’t, What Shouldn’t, What Must, at the 2025 Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI). Ms. Denison is the founder of Woman Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases or (WORLD).

Resources:

• CROI 2025: https://www.croiconference.org/
• Woman Organized to Respond to Life-threatening Diseases or (WORLD): https://womenhiv.org/
• Link to video of presentation: https://youtu.be/CutIwfkv8oU
• More on the Martin Delaney Presentation: https://www.croiconference.org/presenters/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Tonia Poteat, a professor in the Duke University School of Nursing and co-director of the Duke SGM Wellness Program. Dr Poteat joins Dr Saag to provide an overview of a Themed Discussion session that she is leading at CROI 2025 entitled Meeting the Treatment and Prevention Needs of Transgender Women. Dr Poteat and Dr Saag address the 3 most common challenges faced in the care of transgender persons: uninformed clinicians, societal discrimination, and efforts by governments to limit the rights of transgender persons. They discuss efforts to educate clinicians and summarize the resources that are available to provide care to transgender persons facing stigma and discrimination. They also discuss efforts to take legal action against discriminatory policies. Finally, Dr Poteat and Dr Saag look ahead to the next five years of transgender care and provide advice to all involved in the care of transgender persons during a challenging time.

0:00 – Introduction

1:26 – Overview of Dr Poteat’s background and research interests

3:42 – Most common challenges encountered by transgender women

4:59 – Educating clinicians about care for transgender women

9:46 – Resources for clinicians to learn about managing stigma and discrimination

11:24 – Efforts by governments to limit transgender care

16:14 – Overview of the Themed Discussion session at CROI 2025

19:07 – Looking ahead to the next five years in transgender care

Resources:

• CROI 2025: https://www.croiconference.org/
• IAS-USA webinar: Gender-Affirming Hormone Care for People With HIV: https://www.iasusa.org/events/webinar-2024-poteat/
• AIDS Education and Training Center: https://aidsetc.org/
• World Professional Association for Transgender Health: https://wpath.org/
• Trans Lifeline: https://translifeline.org/
• Trevor Project: https://www.thetrevorproject.org/

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
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X
Facebook
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...

In this episode of Going anti-Viral, Dr Michael Saag speaks with Dr Joseph Eron, Professor of Medicine at University of North Carolina (UNC) about the topic of his upcoming presentation at the Conference on Retroviruses and Opportunistic Infections (CROI) 2025: HIV Cure Research: State of the Art and Navigating Presentations at CROI 2025. Dr Eron discusses the state of HIV cure research including a detailed discussion of why it has been so difficult to develop a cure for HIV. Dr Saag and Dr Eron discuss the difference between HIV cure and functional cure and provide a detailed overview of cure research efforts looking at blocking and locking HIV in human DNA. Dr Saag and Dr Eron also discuss the potential for “molecular scissors” (CRISPR-Cas9) to cure HIV. Finally, they provide an overview of cure research that will be presented at CROI, highlighting the plenary presentation by Dr Ole Søgaard at CROI on Monday March 10 entitled HIV Cure: A Translational Research Perspective. For more information about the topic of this episode, listen to an earlier episode of Going anti-Viral where Dr Saag discusses Vaccine Development with Dr Richard Koup, see links in the resources below.

0:00 – Introduction

1:31 – Defining cure in the context of HIV

4:56 – Why is it so hard to cure HIV

7:56 – What is functional cure

11:47 – Description of the concept of “block and lock” in human DNA

14:33 – Discussion of tat inhibitors – blocking of HIV regulatory genes

18:02 – Prospect of using “molecular scissors” (CRISPR-Cas9) as a cure

23:13 – Highlights in HIV cure research at CROI and closing remarks

Resources:

CROI 2025: https://www.croiconference.org/

Going anti-Viral Episode 4 – A Deep Dive into Vaccine Development with Dr Richard Koup:

• Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-4-a-deep-dive-into-vaccine-development-with/id1713226144?i=1000637677124
• YouTube: https://youtu.be/nXeMt3GMj4Q

__________________________________________________

Produced by IAS-USA, Going anti–Viral is a podcast for clinicians involved in research and care in HIV, its complications, and other viral infections. This podcast is intended as a technical source of information for specialists in this field, but anyone listening will enjoy learning more about the state of modern medicine around viral infections.

Going anti-Viral’s host is Dr Michael Saag, a physician, prominent HIV researcher at the University of Alabama at Birmingham, and volunteer IAS–USA board member. In most episodes, Dr Saag interviews an expert in infectious diseases or emerging pandemics about their area of specialty and current developments in the field. Other episodes are drawn from the IAS–USA vast catalogue of panel discussions, Dialogues, and other audio from various meetings and conferences.

Email podcast@iasusa.org to send feedback, show suggestions, or questions to be answered on a later episode.

Follow Going anti-Viral on:
Apple Podcasts
YouTube
X
Facebook
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...